r 


mrnmat^gm.  mi^mt 


'^,-j[<^'jmA. 


^ 


Bebold  this  rnln  !  'itsi 
Once  of  etheral  spirit  rolT.  '^%,'^^''  *^ 
This  narrow  cell  was  iifeV  retreat, 
Thie  space  the  mind's  mysterious  seat ; 
What  beaatione  vlsloni'  filled  this  spot, 
What  dreams  of  pleasures  lofcg  forgot, 
Nor  love,  nor  joy,  nor  hope,  nor  fear 
Have  left  one  trace  of  record  here 


Beneath  this  mouldering  Canopy 

Once  shone  the  britfht  and  »>n!-y  eye  ; 

Yet  start  not  at  the  dismal  void. 

If  social  love  that  eye  employed. 

If  with  no  lawless  Are  it  gleamed 

But  through  the  dews  of  kindness  beamed. 

That  eye  shall  be  forever  bright 

When  stars  and  suns  are  sunk  in  night. 

Within  this  hollow  cavern  hung 

The  active,  swift  and  tnnefnl  tongue. 

If  falsehood's  honey  it  distained. 

And  when  it  could  not  praise  was  chained, 

If  bold  in  virtue's  cause  it  spoke. 

Yet  gentle  concord  never  broke, 

That  silent  tongue  shall  plead  for  them 

When  time  unveils  eternity. 

Did  these  fingers  delve  the  mine 
Or  with  its  envied  rubies  shine  f 
To  hew  the  rock  or  wear  the  gem, 
Can  little  now  avail  for  them  ; 
Bat  if  the  page  of  Truth  they  sought, 
Or  comfort  to  the  mourner  brought. 
These  hands  a  richer  mead  shall  claim 
Than  all  that  waits  on  wealth  or  fame. 

Avails  it  whether  bare  or  shod 
The^e  feet  the  path  of  duty  trod  ? 
If  from  thn  bower*  of  ease  they  fled 
To  seek  afli'ction's  lonely  shed. 
If  grandeur's  guilty  bribe  they  ■  purned 
And  home  to  virtue's  cot  returned, 
These  feet  with  angels'  wings  shall  vie 
And  tread  the  palace  of  the  sky. 


mg,  ana  a  wuaei    wppuiiiiuu  uuiai   vjjva  luc 
scene,     tic  was  dressed  from  he.cl  to  toot  in 
buckskin  dved  a  fiery  red;  strings  of  silver 
bells  tuiklcd  about  him;  his  face  was  painted 
in  broad  allemato  bands  of  green,  yellow  and 
crimson;  along  scalp-lock,  stiffened  with  ea- 
gle's feathers  reached  ball'  way  to  the  ceiling. 
[Shanks  ordered  this  report  to  be  strong.    I 
hope  this  will    suit.— Ueporter.J     In   &  voice 
loud  enough  to  drown  the  whistle  ot  ten  loco- 
motives, he  read  in  a  strange  runio  ehant  the 
following     poem,    from   a  manuscript    signed 
Joaquin,   written  m  letters  of    bloofl   on  the 
tanned  hide  of  a  Comanqhe  princess : 
Far  on  the  hot  Apache  plain 
I  sinched  the  girth  and  I  buckled  the  rein  :• 
The  glorious  girl  behind  lue  sang, 
But  I  sprang  to  tho  saddle  wi'hout  a  pang. 
And  ^avo  ine  spur  to  iny  wild  mustang, 
And  a  coil  of  the  loose  riata'a  fold 
Over  his  flanks  lilso  a.Eurpeat  roiled, 
As  his  lioofa  went  forward,  and  forward,  and  on, 
fill  the  plain,  and  the  hills,  and  the  girl,  were  gone. 
The  forests  of  cactus  stabbed  and  stung. 
The  sun  beat  down  on  my  skinless  tongue, 
The  dust  was  thick  in  my  simmering  ni,>uth, 
And  a  whirlwind  of  flame  carac  out  of  the  south, 
From  the  dry  banatias,  whose  fiery  hair 
Singed  the  ruoiikeys  and  paroquets  there. 
l\ir«shed  through  the  flame,  I  dashed  o'er  the  sand. 
Bearing  my  songs  in  my  red  right  hand. 
Bearing  the  songs  of  the  Western  land. 
Tender  and  glo^\ins  aod  fierce  and  grand. 
Take  them  aud  read  them  and  yjeld  me  the  crown 
■\71iioh  the  old  Sierras  on  me  cast  diwn 
From  peaks  untroden,  of  gorgeous  glare. 
Cast  down  upon  uie  and  baje  me  wear. 
And  whoso  denies  it  he  shall  be 
Struck,  and  despised,  and  spit  on,  by  me. 
As  a  loathsome  snake,  as  a  venomous  thing. 
Fit  but  to  swelter  and  crawl  and  sting, 
And  build  hia  cell  in  the  rotten',  rank 
I^tcesn  of  a  noisome  toadstool  bank. 
While  I,  like  a  hawk  in  the  splendid  sky, 
Screim  revenge  as  1  wheel  on  high, 
Ars^  »i,o  c^„T,H  »f ...»  ,»,.oo.n;T,^  c>>oii  T^oyer  dlc  ! 


P'pOLJL--v  >-o  ,     V^OJt^- 


THE 


CALIFORNIA   DIGEST 


Masonic  Law, 


CONTAINING     THE 


OLD  CHARGES  AND  REGULATIONS  OF   1720, 

THE 

CONSTITUTION  AND  GENERAL  REGULATIONS 

OF     THE 

^\,\  m.\  (^xmnX  ^CKlijc  of  OlaUfovnur, 

AS  AMENDED  TO   1866, 

WITH     THE 

Resolutions  and  Decisions 

NOW    IN    FORCE    IN    THAT    M.-.W.-.    GRAND    BODY,    ETC. 
C  O  LLATED    BT 

LORENZO  GORDIN  YATES, 

Deputy  Grand  Lecturer  and   Master  of  Alameda  Lodge,  No.   167. 


San    Francisco  : 

EDWAKD    BOSQUI    &    CO.,   BOOK    &    JOB    PRINTERS. 

1867. 


p'$^ 


gUJ/  4.  ^  c^^j^^^^^^^^ 


^ 
^ 


TABLE   OF   COJ^TENTS. 


PAGE. 

List  of  Graxd  Officers  of  Graxd  Lodge  of  California 4 

Charges  of  a  FreExMASon 5 

Old  Regulations 13 

Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge 27 

Gentiral  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge 78 

Uniform  Code  of  By-laws 84 

By-laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge 89 

Code  of  Resolutions,  Decisions,  etc.,  of  Grand  Lodge 93 

List  of  Subordinate  Lodges 143 

List  op  Past  Grand  Officers  of  Grant)  Lodge 150 

Constitution  op  Grand  Chapter 155 

General  Regulations  of  Grand  Chapter 180 

Rules  of  Order  of  Grand  Chapter 182 

List  op  Subordinate  Chapters 184 

List  of  Past  Grand  Officers  of  Grand  Chapter 186 

Constitution  of  Grand  Council 189 

List  of  Subordinate  Councils 199 

Statutes  of  the  Grand  Commandery 201 

Rules  of  Order  of  Grand  Commandery 217 

List  of  Subordinate  Commanderies 219 

List  of  Past  Grand  Officers  of  Grand  Commandery 220 

Index 223 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1867, 

By  LOHENZO  GORDIN  YATES, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the   District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the   Disti-ict  of 

California. 


gdi  4  ^^ 


p'$- 


TABLE  OF   CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

List  of  Graxd  Officers  of  Graxd  Lodge  of  California 4 

Charges  of  a  Freemason 5 

Old  Regulations 1^ 

Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge 27 

General  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge 78 

Uniform  Code  of  By-laws 84 

By-laws  op  the  Grand  Lodge 89 

Code  of  Resolutions,  Decisions,  etc.,  of  Grand  Lodge 93 

List  of  Subordinate  Lodges l^*^ 

List  of  Past  Grand  Officers  of  Grand  Lodge 150 

Constitution  of  Grand  Chapter 155 

General  Regulations  of  Grand  Chapter 180 

Rules  of  Order  of  Grand  Chapter 182 

List  op  Subordinate  Chapters 184 

List  of  Past  Grand  Officers  of  Grand  Chapter 186 

Constitution  of  Grand  Council 189 

List  of  Subordinate  Councils 199 

Statutes  of  the  Grand  Commandery 201 

Rules  of  Order  of  Grand  Commandery 217 

List  of  Subordinate  Commanderies ■ 219 

List  of  Past  Grand  Officers  of  Grand  Commandery 220 

Index 223 


OLD  CHARGES  AND  REGULATIONS 


OF     THE 


Free  and  Accepted   Masons, 


Collected  from  the  Old  Records  of  the  Lodges,  and 

Presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England 

ON  THE  27TH  Day  of  Dec,  1721. 


Ordered  to  be  Printed  with  the  Proceedings  of  the 

Grand  Lodge  of  California,  May 

Eighth,    1855. 


THE 


CHARGES  OF  A  FREEMASON 


EXTKACTED    FEOM    THE 


Ancietii  Records  of  Lodges  beyond  the  Sea,  and  of  those  in  England, 
Scotland,  and  Ireland,  for  the  icse  of  Lodges  in  England ; 


TO    BE    READ    AT    THE 


MAKING    OF    NEW    BRETHREN, 

OR    WHEN    THE    MASTER    SHALL    ORDER    IT. 


CHARGE  I. 

CONCERNING  GOD   AND   RELIGION. 

A  Mason  is  obliged  by  his  tenure  to  obey  the  moral 
law  ;  and  if  he  rightly  understands  the  art,  he  will  never 
bo  a  stupid  atheist,  nor  an  irreligious  libertine.  But 
though  in  ancient  times  Masons  were  charged  in  every 
country  to  be  of  the  religion  of  that  country  or  nation, 
whatever  it  was,  yet  it  is  now  thought  more  expedient 
only  to  oblige  them  to  that  religion  in  which  all  men 
agree,  leaving  their  particular  opinions  to  themselves  ; 
that  is,  to  be  good  men  and  true,  or  men  of  honor  and 
honesty,  by  whatever  denominations  or  persuasions  they 
may  be  distinguished  ;  whereby  Masonry  becomes  the 
centre  of  union,  and  the  means  of  conciliating  true  friend- 
ship among  persons  that  must  have  remained  at  a  per- 
petual distance. 


6  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

CHARGE  II. 

OF  THE  CIYIL  MAGISTRATE  SUPREME  AND  SUBORDINATE. 

A  Mason  is  to  be  a  peaceable  subject  to  the  civil 
powers,  Avherever  he  resides  or  works,  and  is  never  to 
be  concerned  in  plots  or  conspiracies  against  the  peace 
and  welfare  of  the  nation,  nor  to  behave  himself  unduti- 
fully  to  inferior  magistrates  ;  for  as  Masonry  hath  been 
always  injured  by  war,  bloodshed,  and  confusion,  so  an- 
cient kings  and  princes  have  been  much  disposed  to  en- 
courage the  craftsmen,  because  of  their  peaceableness 
and  loyalty,  whereby  they  practically  answered  the  cav- 
ils of  their  adversaries,  and  promoted  the  honor  of  the 
Fraternity,  who  ever  flourished  in  times  of  peace.  So 
that  if  a  brother  should  be  a  rebel  against  the  State,  he 
is  not  to  be  countenanced  in  his  rebellion,  however  he 
may  be  pitied  as  an  unhappy  man  ;  and  if  convicted  of 
no  other  crime,  though  the  loyal  brotherhood  must  and 
ought  to  disown  his  rebellion,  and  give  no  umbrage  or 
ground  of  political  jealousy  to.  the  government  for  the 
time  being,  they  cannot  expel  him  from  the  Lodge,  and 
his  relation  to  it  remains  indefeasible. 

CHARGE  III. 

OF    LODGES. 

A  Lodge  is  a  place  where  Masons  assemble  and  work  ; 
hence  that  assembly  or  duly  organized  society  of  Masons, 
is  called  a  Lodge,  and  every  brother  ought  to  belong  to 
one,  and  be  subject  to  its  by-laws  and  the  general  regu- 
lations. It  is  either  particular  or  general,  and  will  best 
be  understood  by  attending  it,  and  by  the  regulations  of 
the  general  or  Grand  Lodge  hereunto  annexed.  In  an- 
cient times,  no  Master  or  fellow  could  be  absent  from  it, 
especially  when  named  to  appear  at  it,  without  incurring 
a  severe  censure,  until  it  appeared  to  tlie  Master  and 
Wardens  that  pure  necessity  hindered  him. 

The  persons  admitted  members  of  a  Lodge  must  be 


THE    CHARGES   OF   A   FREEMASON.  •  7 

good  and  true  men,  free  born,  and  of  mature  and  discreet 
age,  no  bondmen,  no  women,  no  immoral  or  scandalous 
men,  but  of  good  report. 

CHARGE  lY. 

OF  MASTERS,   WARDENS,  FELLOWS,   AND  APPRENTICES. 

All  preferment  among  Masons  is  grounded  upon  real 
worth  and  personal  merit  only  ;  that  so  the  lords  may  be 
well  served,  the  brethren  not  put  to  shame,  nor  the  Royal 
Craft  despised  :  therefore  no  Master  or  Warden  is  chosen 
by  seniority,  but  for  his  merit.  It  is  impossible  to  de- 
scribe these  things  in  writing,  and  every  brother  must 
attend  in  his  place,  and  learn  them  in  a  way  peculiar  to 
this  Fraternity.  Only  candidates  may  know,  that  no  Mas- 
ter should  take  an  Apprentice,  unless  he  has  sufficient 
employment  for  him,  and  unless  he  be  a  perfect  youth, 
having  no  maim  or  defect  in  his  body,  that  may  render  him 
incapable  of  learning  the  art  of  his  serving  his  Master's 
lord,  and  of  being  made  a  brother,  and  then  a  Fellow- 
Craft  in  due  time,  even  after  he  has  served  such  a  term 
of  years  as  the  custom  of  the  country  directs  ;  and  that 
he  should  be  descended  of  honest  parents  ;  that  so,  when 
otherwise  qualified,  he  may  arrive  to  the  honor  of  being 
the  Warden,  and  then  the  Master  of  the  Lodge,  the 
Grand  Warden,  and  at  length  the  Grand  Master  of  all 
the  Lodges,  according  to  his  merit. 

No  brother  can  be  a  Warden  until  he  has  passed  the 
part  of  a  Fellow-Craft ;  nor  a  Master,  until  he  has  acted 
as  a  Warden,  nor  Grand  Warden  until  he  has  been  Master 
of  a  Lodge,  nor  Grand  Master  unless  he  has  been  a 
Fellow-Craft  before  his  election,  who  is  also  to  be  nobly 
born,  or  a  gentleman  of  the  best  fashion,  or  some  eminent 
scholar,  or  some  curious  architect  or  other  artist,  descend- 
ed of  honest  parents,  and  who  is  of  singular  great  merit 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Lodges.  And  for  the  better,  and 
easier  and  more  honorable  discharge  of  his  office,  the 
Grand  Master  has  a  power  to   choose  his  own  Deputy 


8  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

Grand  Master,  who  must  be  then,  or  must  have  been 
formerly,  the  Master  of  a  particular  Lodge,  and  has  the 
privilege  of  acting  whatever  the  Grand  Master,  his  prin- 
cipal, should  act,  unless  the  said  principal  be  present,  or 
interpose  his  authority  by  a  letter. 

These  rulers  and  governors,  supreme  and  subordinate 
of  the  ancient  Lodge,  are  to  be  obeyed  in  their  respective 
stations  by  all  the  brethren,  according  to  the  old  charges 
and  regulations,  with  all  humility,  reverence,  love,  and 
alacrity. 

CHARGE  V. 

OF  THE  MANAGEMENT   OF   THE    CRAFT   IN   WORKING. 

All  Masons  shall  work  honestly  on  working  days,  that 
they  may  live  creditably  on  holy  days,  and  the  time 
appointed  by  the  law  of  the  land,  or  confirmed  by  custom, 
shall  be  observed. 

The  most  expert  of  the  Fellow- Craftsmen  shall  be 
chosen  or  appointed  the  Master  or  Overseer  of  the  lord's 
work ;  and  who  is  to  be  called  Master  by  those  that 
work  under  him.  The  craftsmen  are  to  avoid  all  ill 
language,  and  to  call  each  other  by  no  disobliging  name, 
but  brother  or  fellow  ;  and  to  behave  themselves  courte- 
ously within  and  without  the  Lodge. 

The  Master,  knowing  himself  to  be  able  of  canning, 
shall  undertake  the  lord's  work  as  reasonably  as  possible, 
and  truly  dispend  his  goods  as  if  they  were  his  own  ; 
nor  to  give  more  wages  to  any  brother  or  Apprentice 
than  he  really  may  deserve. 

Both  tlie  Master  and  the  Masons  receiving  their  wages 
justly,  shall  be  faithful  to  the  lord,  and  lionestly  finish 
their  work,  whether  task  or  journey  ,  nor  put  the  work 
to  task  that  liath  been  accustomed  to  journey. 

None  shall  discover  envy  at  the  prosperity  of  a  brother, 
nor  supplant  him,  or  put  him  out  of  his  work,  if  he  be 
ca|)al)leto  finish  the  same  ;  for  no  man  can  finish  another's 
work  so  much  to  the  lord's  profit,  unless  he  be  thorough- 


THE   CHARCxES   OF   A   FEEEMASON.  9 

ly  acquainted  with  the  designs  and  draughts  of  him  that 
began  it. 

When  a  fellow-craftsman  is  chosen  Warden  of  the 
work  under  the  Master,  he  shall  be  true  both  to  Master 
and  fellows  ;  shall  carefully  oversee  the  work  in  the 
Master's  absence  to  the  Lord's  profit  ;  and  his  brethren 
shall  obey  him. 

All  Masons  employed  shall  meekly  receive  their  wages, 
without  murmuring  or  mutiny,  and  not  desert  the  Mas- 
ter till  the  work  is  finished. 

A  younger  brother  shall  be  instructed  in  working,  to 
prevent  spoiling  the  materials  for  want  of  judgment, 
and  for  increasing  and  continuing  of  brotherly  love. 

All  the  tools  used  in  working  shall  be  approved  by  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

No  laborer  shall  be  employed  in  the  proper  work  of 
Masonry  ;  nor  shall  Freemasons  work  with  those  that 
are  not  free,  without  an  urgent  necessity  ;  nor  shall  they 
teach  laborers  and  unaccepted  Masons,  as  they  should 
teach  a  brother  or  fellow. 

CHARGE  VI. 

OF  BEHAVIOR,  VIZ.  :  IN  THE  LODGE  WHILE  CONSTITUTED. 

1.  You  are  not  to  hold  private  committees,  or  sep- 
arate conversation  without  leave  from  the  Master,  nor 
to  talk  of  anything  impertinent  or  unseemly,  nor  inter- 
rupt the  Master  or  Wardens,  or  any  brother  speaking  to 
the  Master  ;  nor  behave  yourself  ludicrously  or  jestingly 
while  the  Lodge  is  engaged  in  what  is  serious  and  solemn; 
nor  use  any  unbecoming  language  upon  any  pretence 
whatsoever ;  but  to  pay  due  reverence  to  your  Master, 
Wardens,  and  fellows,  and  put  them  to  worship. 

If  any  complaint  be  brought,  the  brother  found  guilty 
shall  stand  to  the  award  and  determination  of  the  Lodge, 
who  are  the  proper  and  competent  judges  of  all  such 
controversies  (unless  you  carry  it  by  appeal  to  the  Grand 
Lodge),  and  to  whom  they  ought  to  be  referred,  unless  a 

2 


10  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

lord's  work  be  hindered  the  meanwhile,  in  which  case  a 
particular  reference  may  be  made  ;  but  you  must  never 
go  to  law  about  w^hat  concerneth  Masonr3^  without  an 
absolute  necessity  apparent  to  the  Lodge. 

BEHAVIOR  AFTER  THE  LODGE  IS  OVER  AND  THE  BRETHREN 
NOT  GONE. 

2.  You  may  enjoy  yourselves  with  innocent  mirth,  treat- 
ing one  another  according  to  ability,  but  avoiding  all 
excess,  or  forcing  any  brother  to  eat  or  drink  beyond  his 
inclination,  or  hindering  him  from  going  when  his  occa 
sions  call  him,  or  doing  or  saying  anything  offensive,  or 
that  may  forbid  an  easy  and  free  conversation,  for  that 
would  blast  our  harmony,  and  defeat  our  laudable  pur- 
poses. Therefore,  no  private  piques  or  quarrels  must 
be  brought  within  the  door  of  the  Lodge,  far  less  any 
quarrels  about  religion,  or  nations,  or  State  policy,  we 
being  only,  as  Masons,  of  the  catholic  religion  above 
mentioned  ;  we  are  also  of  all  nations,  tongues,  kindreds, 
and  languages,  and  are  resolved  against  all  politics,  as 
what  never  yet  conduced  to  the  welfare  of  the  Lodge, 
nor  ever  will.  TJiis  .charge  has  been  always  strictly 
enjoined  and  observed  ;  but  especially  ever  since  the 
reformation  in  Britain,  or  the  dissent  and  secession  of 
these  nations  from  the  communion  of  Rome. 

BEHAVIOR  WHEN    BRETHREN   MEET  WITHOUT   STRANGERS,  BUT 
NOT   IN  A  LODGE  FORMED. 

3.  You  are  to  salute  one  another  in  a  courteous  man- 
ner, as  you  will  be  instructed,  calling  each  other  brother, 
freely  giving  each  other  mutual  instruction  as  shall  be 
thought  expedient,  without  being  overseen  or  overheard, 
and  without  encroaching  upon  each  other,  or  derogating 
from  tliat  respect  which  is  due  to  a  brother,  were  he  not 
a  Mason  :  lor,  though  all  Masons  are  as  brethren  upon 
tlic  same  level,  yet  Masonry  takes  no  honor  from  a  man 
that    he   liad   bcrore  ;   nay,  ratlier   it   adds    to  his  honor. 


THE    CHARGES    OF    A    FREEMASON.  11 

especially  if  he  has  deserved  well  of  the  brotherhood, 
who  must  give  honor  to  whom  it  is  due,  and  avoid  ill 
manners. 

BEHAVIOR    IN    PRESENCE    OF    STRANGERS    NOT    MASONS. 

4.  You  shall  be  cautious  in  your  words  and  carriage, 
that  the  most  penetrating  stranger  shall  not  be  able  to 
discover  or  find  out  what  is  not  proper  to  be  intimated  ; 
and  sometimes  you  shall  divert  a  discourse,  and  manage 
it  prudently  for  the  honor  of  the  worshipful  Fraternity. 

BEHAVIOR   AT   HOME   AND   IN  TOUR   NEIGHBORHOOD. 

0.  You  are  to  act  as  becomes  a  moral  and  wise  man ; 
particularly  not  to  let  your  family,  friends  and  neighbors 
know  the  concerns  of  the  Lodge,  etc.,  but  wisely  to  con- 
sult your  own  honor,  and  that  of  the  ancient  brother- 
hood, for  reasons  not  to  be  mentioned  here.  You  must 
also  consult  your  health,  by  not  continuing  together  too 
late,  or  too  long  from  home,  after  Lodge  hours  are  past ; 
and  by  avoiding  of  gluttony  or  drunkenness,  that  your 
families  be  not  neglected,  or  injured,  nor  you  disabled 
from  working. 

BEHAVIOR   TOWARDS    A    STRANGE    BROTHER. 

6.  You  are  cautiously  to  examine  him,  in  such  a  method 
as  prudence  shall  direct  you,  that  you  may  not  be  im- 
posed upon  by  an  ignorant  false  pretender,  Avhom  you 
are  to  reject  with  contempt  and  derision,  and  beware 
of  giving  him  any  hints  of  knowledge. 

But  if  you  discover  him  to  be  a  true  and  genuine 
brother,  you  are  to  respect  him  accordingly  ;  and  if  he 
is  in  want,  you  must  relieve  him  if  you  can,  or  else  direct 
him  how  he  may  be  relieved.  You  must  employ  him 
some  days,  or  else  recommend  him  to  be  employed.  But 
you  are  not  charged  to  do  beyond  your  ability,  only  to 
prefer  a  poor  brother,  that  is  a  good  man  and  true, 
before  any  other  poor  people  in  the  same  circumstances. 


12  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Finally,  all  these  charges  you  are  to  observe,  and  also 
those  that  shall  be  communicated  to  you  in  another  way  ; 
cultiyating  brotherly  love,  the  foundation  and  copestone, 
the  cement  and  glory  of  this  ancient  Fraternity,  avoiding 
all  wrangling  and  quarreling,  all  slander  and  backbiting, 
nor  permitting  others  to  slander  any  honest  brother,  but 
defending  his  character,  and  doing  him  all  good  offices, 
as  far  as  is  consistent  with  your  honor  and  safety,  and  no 
farther. 

And  if  any  of  them  do  you  injury,  you  must  apply  to 
your  own  or  his  Lodge  ;  and  from  thence  you  may  ap- 
peal to  the  Grand  Lodge  at  the  quarterly  communication, 
and  from  thence  to  the  annual  Grand  Lodge,  as  has  been 
the  ancient  laudable  conduct  of  our  forefathers  in  every 
nation ;  never  taking  a  legal  course  but  when  the  case 
cannot  be  otherwise  decided,  and  patiently  listening  to 
the  honest  and  friendly  advice  of  Master  and  fellows, 
when  they  would  prevent  your  going  to  law  with  stran- 
gers, or  would  excite  you  to  put  a  speedy  period  to 
all  lawsuits,  so  that  you  may  mind  the  affair  of.  Masonry 
with  the  more  alacrity  and  success.  But  with  respect 
to  brothers  or  fellows  at  law,  the  Master  and  brethren 
should  kindly  offer  their  mediation,  which  ought  to  be 
thankfully  submitted  to  by  the  contending  brethren  ;  and 
if  that  submission  is  impracticable,  they  must,  however, 
carry  on  their  process,  or  lawsuit,  without  wrath  and 
rancor  (not  in  the  common  way)  saying  or  doing  nothing 
which  may  hinder  brotherly  love,  and  good  offices  to  be 
renewed  and  continued  ;  that  all  may  see  the  benign 
influence  of  Masonry,  as  all  true  Masons  have  done  from 
the  beginning  of  the  world,  and  will  do  to  the  end  of 
time. 

Amen — So  mote  it  be. 


THE    CHARGES    OF    A    FEEEMASON.  13 


GENERAL    REGULATIONS. 

L  The  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  hath  authorit}^  and 
right  not  only  to  be  present  in  any  true  Lodge,  but  also 
to  preside  wherever  he  is,  with  the  Master  of  the  Lodge 
on  his  left  hand,  and  to  order  his  Grand  Wardens  to  at- 
tend him,  who  are  not  to  act  in  particular  Lodges  as 
Wardens,  but  in  his  presence  and  at  his  command  ;  be- 
cause there  the  Grand  Master  may  command  the  Wardens 
of  that  Lodge,  or  any  other  brethren  he  pleaseth,  to  at- 
tend and  act  as  his  Wardens  pro  tempore. 

II.  The  Master  of  a  particular  Lodge  has  the  right 
and  authority  of  congregating  the  members  of  his  Lodge 
into  a  Chapter  at  pleasure,  upon  any  emergency  or  oc- 
currence, as  well  as  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of 
their  usual  forming  ;  and  in  case  of  sickness,  death,  or 
necessary  absence  of  the  Master,  the  Senior  Warden 
shall  act  as  Master  pro  temjjore,  if  no  brother  is  present 
who  has  been  Master  of  that  Lodge  before  ;  for  in  that' 
case  the  absent  Master's  authority  reverts  to  the  last 
Master  then  present  ;  though  he  cannot  act  until  the 
said  Senior  Warden  has  once  congregated  the  Lodge,  or, 
in  his  absence,  the  Junior  Warden. 

III.  The  Master  of  each  particular  Lodge,  or  one  of 
the  Wardens,  or  some  other  brother  by  his  order,  shall 
keep  a  book  containing  their  by-laws,  the  names  of  their 
members,  with  a  list  of  all  the  Lodges  in  town,  and  the 
usual  times  and  places  of  their  forming,  and  all  their 
transactions  that  are  proper  to  be  written. 

IV.  No  Lodge  shall  make  more  than  five  new  breth- 
ren at  one  time,  nor  any  man  under  the  age  of  twenty- 
five,  who  must  be  also  his  own  master  ;  unless  by  a  dis- 
pensation from  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy. 

V.  No  man  can  be  made  or  admitted  a  member  of  a 


14  THE    CAI.IFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

[):irticnlar  Lodge  without  previous  notice  one  month 
before  given  to  the  said  Lodge,  in  order  to  make  due  in- 
quiry into  the  reputation  and  capacity  of  the  candidate, 
unless  by  the  dispensation  aforesaid. 

VL  But  no  man  can  be  entered  a  brother  in  one  par- 
ticuhir  Lodge,  or  admitted  to  be  a  member  thereof,  with- 
out the  unanimous  consent  of  all  the  members  of  that 
Lodge  then  present  when  the  candidate  is  proposed,  and 
their  consent  is  formally  asked  by  the  Master  ;  and  they 
are  to  signify  their  consent  or  dissent  in  their  own  pru- 
dent way,  either  virtually  or  in  form,  but  with  unanimity  : 
nor  is  this  inherent  privilege  subject  to  a  dispensation  ; 
because  the  members  of  a  particular  Lodge  are  the  best 
juc'.ges  of  it ;  and  if  a  fractious  member  should  be  im- 
posed on  them,  it  might  spoil  their  harmony  or  hinder 
their  freedom,  or  even  break  or  disperse  the  Lodge  ; 
which  ought  to  be  avoided  by  all  good  and  true  brethren. 

VIL  Every  new  brother  at  his  making  is  decently  to 
clothe  the  Lodge,  that  is,  all  the  brethren  present,  and 
to  deposit  something  for  the  relief  of  indigent  and  de- 
cayed brethren,  as  the  candidate  shall  think  fit  to  bestow, 
over  and  above  the  small  allowance  stated  by  the  by- 
laws of  that  particular  Lodge ;  which  charity  shall  be 
lodged  with  the  Master  or  Wardens,  or  the  Cashier,  if 
the  members  think  fit  to  choose  one. 

And  the  candidate  shall  also  solemnly  promise  to  sub- 
mit to  the  Constitutions,  the  Charges,  and  Regulations, 
and  to  such  other  good  usages  as  shall  be  intimated  to 
hiui  in  time  and  place  convenient. 

VIIL  No  set  or  number  of  brethren  shall  withdi-aw 
or  separate  themselves  from  the  Lodge  in  which  they 
were  made  brethren,  or  were  afterward  admitted  mem- 
bers, unless  tjic  Lodge  becomes  too  numerous  ;  nor  even 
then,  witiiout  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master  or 
his  Deputy;  and   when   they   are  thus  separated,  they 


THE    CHAEGES    OF    A    FREEMASON.  15 

must  either  immediately  join  themselves  to  such  other 
Lodge  as  they  shall  like  best,  with  the  unanimous  con- 
sent of  that  other  Lodge  to  which  they  go  (as  above 
regulated),  or  else  they  must  obtain  the  Grand  Master's 
Warrant  to  join  in  forming  a  new  Lodge. 

If  any  set  or  number  of  Masons  shall  take  upon  them- 
selves to  form  a  Lodge  without  the  Grand  Master's  War- 
rant, the  regular  Lodges  are  not  to  countenance  them, 
nor  own  them  as  fair  brethren  and  duly  formed,  nor  ap- 
prove of  their  acts  and  deeds  ;  but  must  treat  them  as 
rebels,  until  they  humble  themselves,  as  the  Grand 
Master  shall  in  his  prudence  direct,  and  until  he  approve 
of  them  by  his  Warrant,  which  must  be  signified  to  the 
other  Lodges,  as  the  custom  is  when  a  new  Lodge  is  to 
be  registered  in  the  list  of  Lodges. 

IX.  But  if  any  brother  so  far  misbehaves  himself  as 
to  render  his  Lodge  uneasy,  he  shall  be  twice  duly  ad- 
monished by  the  Master  or  Wardens  in  a  formed  Lodge  ; 
and  if  he  will  not  refrain  his  imprudence,  and  obediently 
submit  to  the  advice  of  his  brethren,  and  reform  what 
gives  them  offence,  he  shall  be  dealt  with  according  to 
the  by-laws  of  that  particular  Lodge,  or  else  in  such  a 
manner  as  the  quarterly  communication  shall  in  their 
great  prudence  think  fit  ;  for  which  a  new  regulation 
may  be  afterward  made. 

X.  The  majority  of  every  particular  Lodge,  when  con- 
gregated, shall  have  the  privilege  of  giving  instructions 
to  their  Master  and  Wardens  before  the  assembling  of 
the  Grand  Chapter,  or  Lodge,  at  the  three  quarterly 
communications  hereafter  mentioned,  and  of  the  annual 
Grand  Lodge  too  ;  because  their  Masters  and  Wardens 
are  their  representatives,  and  are  supposed  to  speak 
their  mind. 

XL  All  particular  Lodges  are  to  observe  the  same 
usages  as  much  as  possible  ;  in  order  to  which,  and  for 


10  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

cultivating  a  good  understanding  among  Freemasons, 
some  members  out  of  every  Lodge  shall  be  deputed  to 
visit  the  other  Lodges  as  often  as  shall  be  thought  con- 
venient. 

XII.  The  Grand  Lodge  consists  of,  and  is  formed  by, 
the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  the  regular  particular 
Lodges  upon  record,  with  the  Grand  Master  at  their 
head,  and  his  Deputy  on  his  left  hand,  and  the  Grand 
Wardens  in  their  proper  places,  and  must  have  a  quar- 
terly communication  about  Michaelmas,  Christmas,  and 
Lady  Day,  in  some  convenient  place  as  the  Grand  Master 
shall  appoint,  where  no  brother  shall  be  present  Avho  is 
not  at  that  time  a  member  thereof,  without  a  dispensation  ; 
and  while  he  stays,  he  shall  not  be  allowed  to  vote,  nor 
even  give  his  opinion,  without  leave  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
asked  and  given,  or  unless  it  be  duly  asked  by  the  said 
Lodge. 

All  matters  are  to  be  determined  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
by  a  majority  of  votes,  each  member  having  one  vote^ 
and  the  Grand  Master  having  two  votes,  unless  the  said 
Lodge  leave  any  particular  thing  to  the  determination  of 
the  Grand  Master  for  the  sake  of  expedition. 

XIIL  At  the  said  quarterly  communication  all  mat- 
ters that  concern  the  fraternity  in  general,  or  particular 
Lodges,  or  single  brethren,  are  quietly,  sedately,  and  ma- 
turely to  be  discoursed  of  and  transacted.  Apprentices 
must  be  admitted  Masters  and  Fellow-Craft  only  here, 
unless  by  a  dispensation.  Here  also  all  differences  that 
can  not  be  made  up  and  accommodated  privately,  nor  by 
a  ])articular  Lodge,  are  to  be  seriously  considered  and 
decided  ;  and  if  any  brother  thinks  himself  aggrieved  by 
the  decision  of  this  Board,  he  may  appeal  to  the  annual 
Grand  Lodge  next  ensuing,  and  leave  his  appeal  in  Avrit- 
ing  with  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  or  the  Grand 
Wardens. 

TIcrc  also  tlie  Master  or  the  Wardens  of  each  particular 


THE    CHAEGES    OF    A    FREEMASON.  17 

Lodge  shall  bring  and  produce  a  list  of  such  members  as 
have  been  made,  or  even  admitted  in  their  particular 
Lodges  since  the  last  communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge  : 
and  there  shall  be  a  book  kept  by  the  Grand  Master,  or 
his  Deputy,  or  rather  by  some  brother  whom  the  Grand 
Lodge  shall  appoint  for  Secretary,  wherein  shall  be  re- 
corded all  the  Lodges,  with  their  usual  times  and  places 
of  forming,  and  the  names  of  all  the  members  of  each 
Lodge  ;  and  all  the  affairs  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that  are 
proper  to  be  written. 

They  shall  also  consider  of  the  most  prudent  and 
effectual  methods  of  collecting  and  disposing  of  what 
money  shall  be  given  to,  or  lodged  with  them  in  charity; 
toward  the  relief  only  of  any  true  brother  fallen  into 
poverty  or  decay,  but  of  none  else  ;  but  every  particu- 
lar Lodge  shall  dispose  of  their  own  charity  for  poor 
brethren  according  to  their  own  by-laws,  until  it  be 
agreed  by  all  the  Lodges  (in  a  new  regulation)  to  carry 
in  the  charity  collected  by  them  to  the  Grand  Lodg^,  at 
the  quarterly  or  annual  communication,  in  order  to  make 
a  common  stock  of  it,  for  the  more  handsome  relief  of 
poor  brethren. 

They  shall  also  appoint  a  Treasurer,  a  brother  of  good 
worldly  substance,  who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  shall  be  always  present 
and  have  power  to  move  to  the  Grand  Lodge  anything, 
especially  what  concerns  his  office.  To  him  shall  be 
committed  all  money  raised  for  charity,  or  for  any  other 
use  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  he  shall  write  down  in  a 
book,  with  the  respective  ends  and  uses  for  which  the 
several  sums  are  intended ;  and  shall  expend  and  dis- 
burse the  same  by  such  a  certain  order,  signed  as  the 
Grand  Lodge  shall  afterward  agree  to  in  a  new  regulation  ; 
but  he  shall  not  vote  in  choosing  a  Grand  Master  or 
Wardens,  though  in  every  other  transaction.  As  in  like 
manner  the  Secretary  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Grand 


18  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Lodge  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  vote  in  everything- 
except  in  choosing  a  Grand  Master  or  Wardens. 

The  Treasurer  and  Secretary  shall  have  each  a  clerk, 
who  must  be  a  brother  and  Fellow-Craft,  but  never  must 
be  a  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  nor  speak  without  being 
allowed  or  desired. 

The  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  shall  always  command 
the  Treasurer  and  Secretary,  with  their  clerks  and  books^ 
in  order  to  see  how  matters  go  on,  and  to  know  what  is 
expedient  to  be  done  upon  any  emergent  occasion. 

Another  brother  (who  must  be  a  Fellow-Craft)  should 
be  appointed  to  look  after  the  door  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
but  shall  be  no  member  of  it. 

But  these  offices  may  be  further  explained  by  a  new 
regulation,  when  the  necessity  and  expediency  of  them 
may  more  appear  than  at  present  to  the  fraternity. 

XIV.  If  at  any  Grand  Lodge,  stated  or  occasional, 
quarterly  or  annual,  the  Grand  Master  and  his  deputy 
should  be  both  absent,  then  the  present  Master  of  a 
Lodge  that  has  been  the  longest  a  Freemason,  shall  take 
the  chair  and  preside  as  Grand  Master  pro  tempore,  and 
shall  be  vested  with  all  his  power  and  honor  for  the  time, 
provided  there  is  no  brother  present  that  has  been  Grand 
Master  formerly,  or  Deputy  Grand  Master  ;  for  the  last 
Grand  Master  present,  or  else  the  last  Deputy  present, 
should  always  of  right  take  place  hi  the  absence  of  the 
present  Grand  Master  and  his  Deputy. 

XV.  In  the  Grand  Lodge  none  can  act  as  Wardens 
but  the  Grand  Wardens  themselves,  if  present;  and  if  ab- 
sent, the  person  who  presides  in  his  place,  shall  order 
private  Wardens  to  act  as  Grand  Wardens  pro  tempore^ 
whose  places  are  to  be  supplied  by  two  Fellow-Craft  ot 
the  same  Lodge,  called  forth  to  act,  or  sent  thither  by 
the  particular  Master  thereof;  or  if  by  him  omitted,  then 
they  shall  be  called  by  the  Grand  Master,  that  so  the 
Grand  Liidgc  may  bo  always  complete. 


THE    CHARGES    OF    A    FREEMASON.  19 

XVI.  The  Grand  Wardens,  or  any  others,  are  first  to 
advise  with  the  Deputy  about  the  aflairs  of  the  Lodge  or 
of  the  brethren,  and  not  to  apply  to  the  Grand  Master 
without  the  knowledge  of  the  Deputy,  unless  he  refuse 
his  concurrence  in  any  certain  necessary  affair  ;  in  which 
case,  or  in  case  of  any  difference  between  the  Deputy 
and  the  Grand  Wardens,  or  other  brethren,  both  parties 
are  to  go  by  concert  to  the  Grand  Master,  who  can  easily 
decide  the  controversy  and  make  up  the  difference,  by 
virtue  of  his  great  authority. 

The  Grand  Master  should  receive  no  intimation  of 
business  concerning  Masonry  but  from  his  Deputy  first, 
except  in  such  certain  cases  as  his  Worship  can  well 
judge  of;  for  if  the  application  to  the  Grand  Master  be 
irregular,  he  can  easily  order  the  Grand  Wardens,  or  any 
other  brethren  thus  applying,  to  wait  upon  his  Deputy, 
who  is  to  prepare  the  business  speedily,  and  to  lay  it 
orderly  before  his  Worship. 

XYII.  No  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
Grand  Wardens,  Treasurer,  Secretary,  or  whoever  acts 
for  them,  or  in  their  stead  pro  tempore,  can  at  the  same 
time  be  the  Master  or  Warden  of  a  particular  Lodge  ;  but 
as  soon  as  any  of  them  has  honoi'ably  discharged  his 
Grand  Office,  he  returns  to  that  post  or  station  in  his 
particular  Lodge  from  which  he  was  called  to  officiate 
above. 

XVIII.  If  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  be  sick,  or  neces- 
sarily absent,  the  Grand  Master  may  choose  any  Fellow- 
Craft  he  please  to  be  his  Deputy  pro  tempore  :  but  he 
that  is  chosen  Deputy  at  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  the  Grand 
Wardens  too,  can  not  be  discharged  without  the  cause 
fairly  appear  to  the  majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  ;  and 
the  Grand  Master,  if  he  is  uneasy,  may  call  a  Grand 
Lodge  on  purpose  to  lay  the  cause  before  them,  and  to 
have  their  advice  and  concurrence  ;  in  which  case,  the 
majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  if  they  can  not  reconcile 


20  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    I>AW. 

the  Master  and  his  Deputy  or  his  Wardens,  are  to  concur 
in  allowing  the  Master  to  discharge  his  said  Deputy 
or  his  said  Wardens,  and  to  choose  another  Deputy  im- 
mediately ;  and  the  said  Grand  Lodge  shall  choose  other 
Wardens  in  that  case,  that  harmony  and  peace  may  be 
preserved. 

XIX.  If  the  Grand  Master  should  abuse  his  power, 
and  render  himself  unworthy  of  the  obedience  and  sub- 
jection of  the  Lodges,  he  shall  be  treated  in  a  way  and 
manner  to  be  agreed  upon  in  a  new  regulation  ;  because 
hitherto  the  ancient  fraternity  have  had  no  occasion  for 
it,  their  former  Grand  Masters  having  all  behaved  them- 
selves worthy  of  that  honorable  office. 

XX.  The  Grand  Master,  with  his  Deputy  and  Ward- 
ens, shall  (at  least  once)  go  round  and  visit  all  the 
Lodges  about  town  during  his  Mastership. 

XXL  If  the  Grand  Master  die  during  his  Mastership, 
or  by  sickness,  or  by  being  beyond  sea,  or  any  other 
way  should  be  rendered  incapable  of  discharging  his 
office,  the  Deputy,  or,  in  his  absence,  the  Senior  Grand 
Warden,  or  in  his  absence,  the  Junior,  or,  in  his  absence, 
any  three  present  Masters  of  Lodges,  shall  join  to  con- 
gregate the  Grand  Lodge  immediately,  to  advise  together 
upon  that  emergency,  and  to  send  two  of  their  number 
to  invite  the  last  Grand  Master  to  resume  his  office, 
which  now  in  course  reverts  to  him  ;  or,  if  he  refuse, 
then  the  next  last,  and  so  backward.  But  if  no  former 
Grand  Master  can  be  found,  then  the  Deputy  shall  act  as 
principal  until  another  is  chosen  ;  or  if  there  be  no  Dep- 
uty, then  the  oldest  Master. 

XXII.  The  brethren  of  all  the  Lodges  in  and  about 
London  and  Westminster,  shall  meet  at  an  annual  com- 
munication and  feast,  in  some  ('onvenieiit  ])lace,  on  St. 
Jolin  l>aptist's  Day,  or  else  on  St..)(tliii  Evangelist's  Dav. 


THE    CHARGES    OP    A    FREEMASON.  21 

US  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  think  fit  by  a  new  regulation, 
having  of  late  years  met  on  St.  John  Baptist's  Day  ; 

Provided,  The  majority  of  the  Masters  and  Wardens, 
with  the  Grand  Master,  his  Deputy,  and  Wardens,  agree 
at  their  quarterly  communications,  three  months  before, 
that  there  shall  be  a  feast  and  a  general  communication 
of  all  the  brethren  ;  for  if  either  the  Grand  Master  or 
the  majority  of  the  particular  Masters  are  against  it,  it 
must  be  dropped  for  that  time. 

But  whether  there  shall  be  a  feast  for  all  the  brethren 
or  not,  yet  the  Grand  Lodge  must  meet  in  some  conve- 
nient place  annually  on  St.  John's  Day  ;  or  if  it  be  Sun- 
day, then  on  the  next  day,  in  order  to  choose  every  year 
a  new  Grand  Master,  Deputy,  and  Wardens. 

XXIII.  If  it  be  thought  expedient,  and  the  Grand 
Master,  with  the  majority  of  the  Masters  and  Wardens, 
agree  to  hold  a  grand  feast,  according  to  the  ancient 
laudable  custom  of  Masons,  then  the  Grand  Wardens 
shall  have  the  care  of  preparing  the  tickets,  sealed  with 
the  Grand  Master's  seal,  of  receiving  the  money  for  the 
tickets,  of  buying  the  materials  of  the  feast,  of  finding 
out  a  proper  and  convenient  place  to  feast  in,  and  of  every 
other  thing  that  concerns  the  entertainment. 

But,  that  the  work  may  not  be  too  burdensome  to  the 
two  Grand  Wardens,  and  that  all  matters  may  be  expe- 
ditiously and  safely  managed,  the  Grand  Master,  or  his 
Deputy,  shall  have  power  to  nominate  and  appoint  a 
certain  number  of  Stewards,  as  his  Worship  shall  think 
fit,  to  act  in  concert  with  the  two  Grand  Wardens  ;  all 
things  relating  to  the  feast  being  decided  among  them 
by  a  majority  of  voices,  except  the  Grand  Master  or  his 
Deputy  interpose  by  a  particular  direction  or  appoint- 
ment. 

XXIV.  The  Wardens  and  Stewards  shall,  in  due 
time,  wait  upon  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  for 
directions  and  orders  about  the  premises  ;  but  if  his  Wor- 


22  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIOEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

8lii))  and  bis  Deputy  are  sick,  or  necessarily  absent,  tbey 
sball  call  togetber  tbe  Masters  and  Wardens  of  Lodges 
to  meet  on  purpose  for  tbeir  advice  and  orders  ;  or  else 
tbey  may  take  tbe  matter  wbolly  upon  tbemselves  and 
do  tbe  best  tbey  can. 

Tbe  Grand  Wardens  and  tbe  Stewards  are  to  account 
for  all  tbe  money  tbey  receive,  or  expend,  to  tbe  Grand 
Lodge,  after  dinner,  or  wben  tbe  Grand  Lodge  sball  tbink 
fit  to  receive  tbeir  accounts. 

If  tbe  Grand  Master  pleases,  be  may  in  due  time  sum- 
mon all  tbe  Masters  and  Wardens  of  Lodges,  to  consult 
witb  tbem  about  ordering  tbe  grand  feast,  and  about  any 
emergency  or  accidental  tbing  relating  tbereunto,  tbat 
may  require  advice ;  or  else  to  take  it  upon  bimself 
altogetber. 

XXV.  Tbe  Masters  of  Lodges  sball  eacb  appoint  one 
experienced  and  discreet  Fellow-Craft  of  bis  Lodge,  to 
compose  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  from  every 
Lodge,  wbo  sball  meet  to  receive,  in  a  convenient  apart- 
ment, every  person  tbat  brings  a  ticket,  and  sball  bave 
power  to  discourse  bim,  if  tbey  tbink  fit,  in  order  to  ad- 
mit or  debar  bim,  as  tbey  sball  see  cause  ; 

Provided,  Tbey  send  no  man  away  before  tbey  bave  . 
acquainted  all  tbe  bretbren  witbin  doors  witb  tbe  reasons 
tbereof,  to  avoid  mistakes  ;  tbat  so  no  true  brotbcr  may 
be  debarred,  nor  a  false  brotber  or  mere  pretender  ad- 
mitted. Tbis  committee  must  meet  very  early  on  St. 
Jobn's  Day,  at  tbe  place,  even  before  any  persons  come 
witb  tickets. 

XXVI.  Tbe  Grand  Master  sball  appoint  two  or  more 
trusty  bretbren  to  be  ])orters  or  doorkeepers,  wbo  are 
also  to  be  early  at  tbe  place,  for  some  good  reasons  ; 
and  wbo  are  to  be  at  tbe  command  of  tbe  committee. 

XXVII.  Tbe  Grand  Wardens,  or  tbe  Stewards,  sball 
appoint  beforoband  sncb  a  number  of  bretbren  to  serve 


THE    CHARGES    OF    A    FREEMASON.  23 

at  table  as  they  think  fit  and  proper  for  that  work  ;  and 
they  may  advise  with  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of 
Lodges  about  the  most  proper  persons,  if  they  please, 
or  may  take  in  snch  by  their  recommendation  ;  for  none 
are  to  serve  that  day  but  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
that  the  communications  may  be  free  and  harmonious. 

XXYIII.  All  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  must 
be  at  the  place  long  before  dinner,  with  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter, or  his  Deputy,  at  their  head,  who  shall  retire  and 
form  themselves. 

And  this  is  done  in  order — 

1.  To  receive  any  appeals  duly  lodged,  as  above  reg- 
ulated, that  the  appellant  may  be  heard,  and  the  affair 
may  be  amicably  decided  before  dinner,  if  possible  ;  but 
if  it  can  not,  it  must  be  delayed  till  after  the  new  Grand 
Master  is  elected  ;  and  if  it  can  not  be  decided  after  din- 
ner, it  may  be  delayed,  and  referred  to  a  particular 
committee,  that  shall  quietly  adjust  it,  and  make  report  to 
the  next  quarterly  communication,  that  brotherly  love 
may  be  preserved. 

2.  To  prevent  any  difference  or  disgust  which  may  be 
feared  to  arise  that  day,  that  no  interruption  may  be 
given  to  the  harmony  and  pleasure  of  the  Grand  Feast. 

3.  To  consult  about  whatever  concerns  the  decency 
and  decorum  of  the  Grand  Assembly,  and  to  prevent  all 
indecency  and  ill  manners,  the  assembly  being  promis- 
cuous. 

4.  To  receive  and  consider  of  any  good  motion,  or  any 
momentous  and  important  affair  that  shall  be  brought 
from  the  particular  Lodges  by  their  representatives,  the 
several  Masters  and  Wardens. 

XXIX.  After  these  things  are  discussed,  the  Grand 
Master  and  his  Deputy,  the  Grand  Wardens,  or  the 
Stewards,  the  Secretary,  the  Treasurer,  the  Clerks,  and 
every  other  person  shall  withdraw  and  leave  the  Masters 


24  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

and  Wardens  of  the  particular  Lodges  alone,  in  order  to 
consult  amicably  about  electing  a  new  Grand  Master^  or 
continuing  the  present,  if  they  had  not  done  it  the  day 
before  ;  and  if  they  are  unanimous  for  continuing  the 
present  Grand  Master,  his  Worship  shall  be  called  in, 
and  humbly  desired  to  do  the  fraternity  the  honor  of 
ruling  them  for  the  year  ensuing  ;  and  after  dinner  it 
will  be  known  whether  he  accepts  of  it  or  not  ;  for  it 
should  not  be  discovered  but  by  the  election  itself. 

XXX.  Then  the  Masters  and  Wardens,  and  all  the 
brethren,  may  converse  promiscuously,  or  as  they  please 
to  sort  together,  until  the  dinner  is  coming  in,  when 
every  brother  takes  his  seat  at  table. 

XXXI.  Some  time  after  dinner,  the  Grand  Lodge  is 
formed,  not  in  the  retirement,  but  in  the  presence  of 
all  the  brethren  who  yet  are  not  members  of  it,  and  must 
not  therefore  speak  until  they  are  desired  and  allowed. 

XXXIL  If  the  Grand  Master  of  last  year  has  con- 
sented with  the  Masters  and  Wardens  in  private,  before 
dinner,  to  continue  for  the  year  ensuing,  then  one  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  deputed  for  that  purpose,  shall  represent 
to  all  the  brethren,  his  Worship's  good  government,  etc., 
and,  turning  to  him,  shall,  in  the  name  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  humbly  request  him  to  do  the  fraternity  the 
great  honor  (if  nobly  born,  if  not),  the  great  kindness, 
of  continuing  to  be  their  Grand  Master  for  the  year 
ensuing.  And  his  Worship  declaring  his  consent  by  a  bow 
or  a  speech,  as  he  pleases,  the  said  deputed  member  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  shall  proclaim  him  Grand  Master,  and  all 
the  members  of  the  Lodge  shall  salute  him  in  due  form. 
And  all  the  brethren  shall  for  a  few  minutes  have  leave 
to  declare  their  satisfaction,  pleasure,  and  congratulation. 

XXXIII.  But  if  either  the  Master  and  Wardens  have 
not  in  private,  this  day  before  dinner  nor  the  day  before, 


THE  CHARGES  OF  A  FREEMASON.  25 

desired  the  last  Grand  Master  to  continue  in  the  Master- 
ship another  year  ;  or  if  he,  when  desired,  has  not  con- 
sented :  Then 

The  last  Grand  Master  shall  nominate  his  successor 
for  the  year  ensuing,  who,  if  unanimously  approved  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and  if  there  present,  shall  be  proclaim- 
ed, saluted,  and  congratulated  the  new  Grand  Master  as 
above  hinted,  and  immediately  installed  by  the  last  Grand 
Master,  according  to  usage. 

XXXIV.  But  if  that  nomination  is  not  unanimously 
approved,  the  new  Grand  Master  shall  be  chosen  imme- 
diately by  ballot,  every  Master  and  Warden  writing  his 
man's  name,  and  the  last  Grand  Master  writing  his  man's 
name  too ;  and  the  man  whose  name  the  last  Grand 
Master  shall  first  take  out,  casually  or  by  chance,  shall  be 
Grand  Master  for  the  year  ensuing  ;  and,  if  present,  he 
shall  be  proclaimed,  saluted,  and  congratulated  as  above 
hinted,  and  forthwith  installed  by  the  last  Grand  Master, 
according  to  usage. 

XXXV.  The  last  Grand  Master  thus  continued,  or 
the  new  Grand  Master  thus  installed,  shall  next  nominate 
and  appoint  his  Deputy  Grand  Master,  either  the  last  or 
a  now  one,  who  shall  also  be  declared,  saluted,  and  con- 
gratulated as  above  hinted. 

The  Grand  Master  shall  also  nominate  the  new  Grand 
Wardens,  and  if  unanimously  approved  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  shall  be  declared,  saluted,  and  congratulated  as 
above  hinted  ;  but  if  not,  they  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot, 
in  the  same  way  as  the  Grand  Master  ;  as  the  Wardens 
of  private  Lodges  are  also  to  be  chosen  by  ballot  in  each 
Lodge,  if  the  members  thereof  do  not  agree  to  their  Mas- 
ter's nomination. 

XXXVI.  But  if  the  brother  whom  the  present  Grand 
Master  shall  nominate  for  his  successor,  or  whom  the 
majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  happen  to  choose  by 
ballot,  is,  by  sickness  or  other  necessary  occasion,  absent 


26  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

from  the  Grand  Feast,  he  can  not  be  proclaimed  the  new 
Grand  Master,  unless  the  old  Grand  Master,  or  some  of 
the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Grand  Lodge  can  vouch, 
upon  the  honor  of  a  brother,  that  the  said  person  so 
nominated  or  chosen,  will  readily  accept  of  the  said 
office  ;  in  which  case  the  old  Grand  Master  shall  act  as 
proxy,  and  shall  nominate  the  Deputy  and  Wardens  in 
his  name,  also  receive  the  usual  honors,  homage,  and 
congratulation. 

XXXYII.  Then  the  Grand  Master  shall  allow  any 
brother,  Fellow-Craft,  or  Apprentice  to  speak,  directing 
his  discourse  to  his  Worship  ;  or  to  make  any  motion  for 
the  good  of  the  fraternity,  which  shall  be  either  imme- 
diately considered  and  finished,  or  else  referred  to  the 
consideration  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  at  their  next  com- 
munication, stated  or  occasional.     When  that  is  over, 

XXXVIII.  The  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy,  or  some 
brother  appointed  by  him,  shall  harangue  all  the  brethren, 
and  give  them  good  advice  ;  and  lastly,  after  some  other 
transactions,  that  cannot  be  written  in  any  language,  the 
brethren  may  go  away  or  stay  longer  as  they  please. 

XXXIX.  Every  annual  Grand  Lodge  has  an  inherent 
power  and  authority  to  make  new  Regulations,  or  to  alter 
these,  *for  the  real  benefit  of  this  ancient  fraternity  : 
provided,  always,  that  the  old  Landmarks  be  caretully 
preserved,  and  that  such  alterations  and  new  Regulations 
be  proposed  and  agreed  to  at  the  third  quarterly  com- 
munication preceeding  the  annual  Grand  Feast ;  and 
that  they  be  offered  also  to  the  perusal  of  all  the  brethren 
before  dinner,  in  writing,  even  of  the  youngest  Apprentice, 
the  approbation  and  consent  of  the  majority  of  all  the 
brethren  present  being  absolutely  necessary  to  make  the 
same  binding  and  obligatory  ;  which  must,  after  dinner, 
and  after  the  new  Grand  Master  is  installed,  be  solemnly 
desired,  as  it  was  desired  and  obtained  for  these  Regula- 
tions, when  proposed  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  about  150 
l)r('thr('ii,  on  St.  .lohn  Baptist's  Day,  1721. 


GRAND     LODGE 


FREE  AND  ACCEPTED  MASONS. 


CONSTITUTION 


OF     THE 


OF 

|m  mil  '^M\)UA  ^^mx^ 


STATE  OF  CALIFORNIA, 


AS   REVISED  AND   ADOPTED  IN   MAY,   A.  L.   5859,   AND  AMENDED 
TO   OCTOBER,  A.  L.   5866. 


PART    I  . 

0/  the  Organization  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OP    ITS    TITLE    AND    SEAL. 

Section  1.  This  Grand  Lodge  shall  be  entitled  "  The 
Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons  of  the  State  of  California." 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  have  a  Seal,  bearing  such  devices  and 
inscriptions  as  have  heretofore  been,  or  may  hereafter  be 
determined,  which  shall  be  affixed  to  all  instruments 
issued  by  or  under  its  authority. 


28  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

ARTICLE  11. 

OF    ITS   MEMBERS   AND    THEIR   QUALIFICATIONS. 

Section  1.  The  Grvand  Lodge  shall  be  composed  of  a 
Grand  Master  (whose  address  shall  be  Blast  JVorsJdjf'd), 
a  Deputy  Grand  Master,  a  Senior  Grand  Warden,  and  a 
Junior  Grand  Warden  (whose  addresses  shall  severally 
ha  Bight  fVorshijjful),  a  Grsiud  Treasurer  and  a  Grand 
Secretary  (whose  addresses  shall  severally  be  Very  Wor- 
sMpftil),  a  Grand  Chaplain  (avIioso  address  shall  be  Very 
Reverend),  a  Grand  Orator,  a  Grand  Marshal,  a  Grand 
Standard  Bearer,  a  Grand  Sword  Bearer,  a  Grand  Bible 
Bearer,  a  Senior  Grand  Deacon,  a  Junior  Grand  Deacon, 
two  Grand  Stewards,  a  Grand  Organist,  a  Grand  Pursui- 
vant and  a  Grand  Tyler  (Avhose  addresses  shall  severally 
be  Worshijful),  and  such  other  officers  as  it  may  hereaf- 
ter designate  :  together  with  all  the  Past  Grand  Officers 
and  Past  Masters  of  this  jurisdiction,  and  the  Masters 
and  Wardens  of  the  several  chartered  and  duly  consti- 
tuted Lodges,  or  the  representatives  thereof,  duly  elected 
as  provided  in  Art.  II,  Part  VII. 

Sec.  2.  Each  officer  and  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
must  be  a  member  of  some  Lodge  within  its  jurisdiction. 
With  the  cessation  of  such  membership  shall  cease  his 
office  and  membership  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  3.  No  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shal'  be  rep- 
resented therein  by  proxy. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF   ITS   POWERS   AND   AUTHORITY. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Lodge  is  the  Supreme  Masonic 
Power  and  AutlKu-ity  in  this  State,  possessing  all  the  at- 
tributes of  sovereignty  and  government — legislative,  ex- 
ecutive, and  judicial — limited  only  by  a  strict  adherence 
to  the  Ancient  Landmarks  of  the  Order,  and  to  the  pro- 
visions of  its  own  Cojistitution  and  Regulations. 

Sec.  2.    Its  legislative  powers  extend  to  every  case  of 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M/.W. '.GRAND    LODGE.  29 

legislation  not  expressly  delegated  by  itself  to  the 
Lodges  ;  and  the  Constitution  and  Regulations,  which  it 
has  an  inalienable  right  to  adopt  and  promulgate  at  its 
own  convenience,  and  to  alter,  amend,  or  repeal  at  its 
own  pleasure,  under  the  limitations  therein  imposed,  are 
final  and  binding  upon  all  Lodges  and  Masons  within  its 
jurisdiction,  until  so  altered,  amended,  or  repealed. 

Sec.  3.  Its  executive  powers  include  the  granting  of 
dispensations  and  charters  to  establish  and  perpetuate 
Lodges  withiu  this  State,  and  in  other  territory  where 
no  Grand  Lodge  exists  ;  the  revocation  or  suspension 
thereof ;  the  issuing  of  special  dispensations  for  all  pur- 
poses permitted  by  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  Consti- 
tution ;  and  the  exercise,  generally,  of  all  such  authority 
as  may  be  necessary  to  carry  its  own  legislation  into 
complete  effect. 

Sec.  4.     Its  judicial  powers  are  of  two  kinds  : 

1st.  Original — Including  the  decision  of  all  contro- 
versies between  any  of  the  Lodges,  or  between  one  of 
them  and  a  member  or  members  of  another,  or  between 
members  of  diiferent  Lodges;  and  the  enforcement  of  dis- 
cipline upon  its  own  members  and  upon  the  Lodges  under 
its  jurisdiction  :   and 

2d.  Appellate — Embracing  the  revision  of  all  matters 
of  controversy  or  discipline,  proper  for  Masonic  investi- 
gation, which  may  have  arisen  in  any  of  the  Lodges,  and 
over  which  it  has  not  retained  original  jurisdiction. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OF   ITS   communications. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Lodge  shall  hold  its  Annual 
Communications  for  the  transaction  of  its  regular  busi- 
ness, at  the  City  of  San  Francisco,  commencing  on  the 
second  Tuesday  of  October,  at  10  o'clock,  a.m. 

Sec.  2.  Special  Communications  may  be  ordered  by  the 
Grand  Master  whenever,  in  his  opinion,  the  welfare  of 
the  Fraternity  shall  require  it. 


30  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW, 

Sec.  3.  Special  Commimications  shall  be  ordered  by 
the  Grand  Master,  upon  an  application  therefor  in  writing 
setting  forth  the  causes  which  demand  it,  and  signed  by 
the  Masters  of  at  least  five  chartered  Lodges. 

Sec.  4.  Every  order  for  a  Special  Communication  shall 
designate  the  object  thereof,  so  far  as  is  proper  to  be 
written,  and  shall  be  issued  to  each  Lodge  and  Grand 
Officer  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  day  named  for 
meeting ;  and  no  business  shall  be  transacted  thereat 
other  than  that  for  which  the  Grand  Lodge  was  espe- 
cially convened. 

Sec.  5.  The  officers  or  representatives  of  at  least  fif- 
teen chartered  Lodges  shall  be  present  in  order  to 
transact  any  business  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  either  at  an 
Annual  or  Special  Communication  ;  but,  upon  occasions 
of  ceremony  only,  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  duly  author- 
ized representative,  with  a  sufficient  number  of  brethren 
to  fill  the  stations  and  places,  may  at  any  time  open  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  perform  the  ceremonies  for  which  it 
was  convened. 

ARTICLE  V. 

OF   THE  elections   AND   APPOINTMENTS. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
Grand  Wardens,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  Grand  Secretary 
shall  be  elected  by  ballot,  at  each  Annual  Communica- 
tion, upon  the  fourth  day  thereof;  shall  be  installed  be- 
fore its  close  ;  and  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  until 
their  successors  shall  have  been  elected  and  installed. 
A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessaiy  for  an 
election. 

Sec.  2.  All  other  Grand  Officers  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  Grand  Master,  immediately  after  his  installation,  at 
each  Annual  Communication  ;  shall  be  properly  invested 
before  the  close  thereof;  and  shall  hold  their  respective 
offices  during  his  will  and  pleasure. 

Sec.  3.    Whenever  a  vacancv  shall  occur  in  anv  elective 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M/.W/. GRAND    LODGE.  31 

office  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Grand  Master  shall  have 
power  to  fill  the  same  by  appointment,  which  appoint- 
ment shall  be  valid  until  the  succeeding  annual  election 
and  installation ;  and  the  officer  so  appointed  shall  be 
charged  with  all  the  duties  and  responsibilities  of  one 
regularly  elected. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

OF   ITS   VOTING  AND   REPRESENTATION. 

Section  1.  All  questions  in  the  Grand  Lodge  (except 
elections  of  officers)  shall  be  decided  either  viva  voce,  or 
by  a  show  of  hands — unless,  before  the  announcement 
of  the  result  thereof,  three  members  shall  demand  that 
the  vote  be  taken  by  yeas  and  nays,  in  which  case  it  shall 
thus  be  taken. 

Sec.  2.  Each  Grand  Officer  present,  whether  elected 
or  appointed  (except  the  Grand  Tyler),  and  each  Past 
Grand  Officer  present,  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec.  3.  Each  Lodge  represented  shall  be  entitled  to 
three  votes  ;  and  the  Past  Masters  of  each  Lodge  shall, 
collectively,  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec.  4.  No  Grand  Officer,  Past  Grand  Officer,  or  Past 
Master,  voting,  or  participating  in  a  vote,  in  either  of 
those  capacities,  shall  vote,  or  participate  in  a  vote,  in 
any  other  of  them  ;  but  either  of  such  members  may,  as 
Master,  Warden,  or  representative  of  a  Lodge,  cast  also 
the  vote  or  votes  to  which  such  position  shall  entitle  him. 
Sec.  5.  When  a  Lodge  shall  be  represented  by  only 
two  of  its  proper  officers,  the  officer  highest  in  rank  may 
cast  two  of  the  tiiree  votes. 

Sec.  6.  When  a  Lodge  shall  be  represented  by  only 
one  of  its  proper  officers,  or  by  a  representative,  such 
officer  or  representative  may  cast  all  the  votes  to  which 
it  is  entitled. 

Sec.  7.  Li  all  cases  of  a  tie  vote,  except  votes  by  bal- 
lot, the  Grand  Master,  in  addition  to  his  proper  vote^ 
may  have  the  casting  vote. 


32  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

OF   ITS   COMMITTEES   AND   THEIR   DUTIES. 

Section  1.  The  following  regular  committees,  to  con- 
sist of  five  members  each,  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Master  at  each  Annual  Communication,  viz  :  On 
Credentials,  on  Grievances,  on  Finances,  on  Jurispru- 
dence, on  Charters,  on  Returns,  on  By-Laws,  and  on  Cor- 
respondence. 

Sec.  2.  Special  committees  may  also  be  appointed  by 
the  Grand  Master,  whenever  it  may  be  deemed  necessary 
by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  3.  No  business  of  any  kind  shall  be  finally  acted 
upon,  until  after  reference  to  and  report  upon,  by  a  com- 
mittee, unless  by  unanimous  consent ;  and  no  appropria- 
tion of  money  shall  be  made  until  after  reference  to,  and 
report  upon,  by  the  Committee  on  Finances. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

OF   ITS   REVENUES. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  be 
derived  from  the  following  sources  : 

1st.  From  fees  charged  for  dispensations,  charters,  di- 
plomas, and  other  documents  issued  under  its  authority: 

2d.  From.contributions  levied  upon  the  Lodges,  which 
shall  always  be  equal  and  uniform,  in  proportion  to  their 
membership,  admissions,  and  degrees  conferred  :  and 

3d.  From  the  funds,  dues,  and  proceeds  of  all  property 
of  dissolved  Lodges  within  its  jurisdiction. 

Sec.  2,  The  following  shall  be  the  fees  charged  as 
above,  exclusive  of  those  provided  in  Sec.  3,  Article  IV, 
Part  II,  to  be  paid  to  the  Grand  Secretary  : 

1st.  For  a  dispensation  to  form  a  new  Lodge,  the  sum 
of  seventy-five  dollars  : 

2d.  For  a  charter  to  perpetuate  a  Lodge,  the  sum  of 
fifty  dollars  : 


CONSTITUTION   OF  THE   M/.W.'.GRAND   LODGE.  33 

3cl.  For  a  dispensation  to  hold  an  election  of  an  officer 
or  officers  at  a  time  other  than  that  named  in  Sec.  1,  Art. 
I,  Part  IV,  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  : 

4th.  For  a  dispen  ation  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for 
the  degrees,  without  the  reference  to  a  committee  pro- 
vided in  Sec.  3,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  the  sum  often  dollars: 

5th.  For  a  dispensation  to  receive  and  act  upon  the 
petition  of  a  rejected  candidate,  within  a  less  period  than 
the  twelve  months  prescribed  in  Sec.  2,  Art.  Ill,  Part 
III,  the  sum  of  ten  dollars  :  and 

6th.  For  a  diploma  of  any  kind,  the  sum  of  two  dollars, 
except  when  issued  for  the  widoAv  or  children  of  a  de- 
ceased Mason,  in  which  case  there  shall  be  no  charge  : 
but  no  diploma  shall  issue  except  upon  the  presentation 
to  the  Grand  Secretary  of  a  certificate  from  the  Secre- 
tary of  a  Lodge,  in  one  of  the  forms  prescribed  in  Art. 
mi  Part  VII. 

Sec.  3.  In  no  case  shall  either  of  the  foregoing  docu- 
ments be  issued  until  the  fees  therefor  shall  have  been 
paid  to  the  Grand  Secretary. 

Sec.  4.  The  following  contributions  shall  be  paid,  as 
annual  dues,  by  each  of  the  Lodges,  whether  chartered 
or  under  dispensation,  at  the  time  and  in  the  manner 
provided  in  Sec.  4,  Art.  II,  Part  III : 

1st.  For  each  -degree  it  shall  have  conferred  during 
the  year,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  : 

2d.  For  each  member  it  shall  have  received  by  affilia- 
tion during  the  year,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  : 

3d.  For  each  Master  Mason  borne  upon  its  roll  at  the 
date  of  its  annual  return,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  : 

And  the  Grand  Lodge  may  levy,  in  addition  to  the 
above,  such  other  contributions  as  in  its  judgment  may 
be  required. 

Sec.  5.  In  case  of  the  dissolution  of  a  Lodge,  the  Grand 

Secretary,  or  some  brother  by  him  duly  authorized,  shall 

at  once  proceed  to  receive  its  funds  on  hand,  collect  its 

outstanding  dues,  and  dispose  of  its  jewels,  furniture,  and 

5 


34  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

property  of  every  kind,  in  such  manner  as  shall  seem  to 
him  most  judicious ;  and  he  shall  place  the  proceeds 
thereof,  after  tlie  payment  of  necessary  expenses,  among 
the  funds  of  the  Grand  Lodo-e. 


PART     II. 

Of  the  Grand  Officers,  their  Foivers  and  Duties. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OF  THE  GRAND  MASTER. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Master,  during  the  interval 
between  the  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  may 
exercise  all  its  executive  powers  as  defined  in  Sec.  3, 
Art.  Ill,  Part  I,  except  the  granting  of  charters.  By 
virtue  of  these,  authority  is  given  him — 

1st.  To  grant  dispensations  for  the  formation  of  new 
Lodges,  under  the  regulations  prescribed  in  Sec.  2,  Art. 
I,  Part  III : 

2d.  To  grant  dispensations  for  the  holding  elections 
of  an  officer  or  officers  at  times  other.  *Hian  the  regular 
periods  prescribed  in  Sec.  1,  Art.  I,  Part  VI,  under  the 
regulations  provided  in  Sec.  2,  Art.  I,  Part  IV : 

3d.  To  grant  dispensations  to  ballot  for  and  confer  the 
degrees  upon  candidates,  without  the  reference  of  their 
applications  to  committees,  as  provided  in  Sec.  3,  Art. 
Ill,  Part  III,  under  the  regulations  prescribed  in  Sec.  4, 
Art.  Ill,  Part  III : 

4tli.  To  grant  dispensations  to  receive  and  act  upon 
the  petitions  of  rejected  applicants,  within  a  less  period 
than  the  twelve  months  prescribed  in  Sec.  2,  Art.  Ill, 
Part  III,  under  the  regulations  provided  in  Sec.  4,  Art. 
Ill,  Part  III : 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE   M.'.W.". GRAND    LODGE.  35 

5th.  To  convene  any  Lodge,  preside  therein,  inspect 
its  proceedings,  and  compel  its  conformity  to  Masonic 
usage : 

6th.  To  arrest  the  charter  or  dispensation  of  any 
Lodge,  for  good  reasons  shown,  and  suspend  the  opera- 
tions thereof  until  the  next  Annual  Communication  : 

7th.  To  suspend  the  Master  of  any  Lodge  from  the 
exercise  of  the  powers  and  duties  of  his  office,  for  good 
reasons  shown,  until  the  next  Annual  Communication : 

8th.  To  require  the  attendance  of,  and  information 
from  any  Grand  Officer,  respecting  matters  appertaining 
to  the  duties  of  his  office  :  and 

9th.  To  appoint  Representatives  in  other  recognized 
Lodges,  and  to  receive  and  accredit  such  Representa- 
tives from  them. 

Sec.  2.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Master — 

1st.  To  preside  in  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all  its  Commu- 
nications : 

2d.  To  present,  at  each  Annual  Communication,  a 
written  message,  therein  setting  forth  all  his  official  acts 
during  the  year,  exhibiting  the  general  condition  of 
Masonry  within  the  jurisdiction,  and  recommending  such 
legislation  as  he  may  deem  necessary  or  expedient  for 
the  welfare  of  the  Order  : 

3d.  To  constitrrte  all  chartered  Lodges,  either  in  per- 
son or  by  a  duly  authorized  representative,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  ancient  usages  and  regulations  : 

4th.  To  exercise  a  general  and  careful  supervision 
over  the  Craft,  and  see  that  the  Constitution  and  Regu- 
lations of  the  Grand  Lodge  are  strictly  maintained,  sup- 
ported, and  obeyed  :  and 

5th.  To  discharge  all  the  necessary  executive  functions 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  that  body  is  not  in  session. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF  THE  DEPUTY  GRAND  MASTER  AND  GRAND  WARDENS. 

Section  1.    It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Deputy  Grand 


36  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

Master  to  assist  the  Grand  Master  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties  at  all  the  Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and,  in  his  absence,  to  preside  therein  ;  and,  in  the  event 
of  the  death  of  the  Grand  Master,  or  of  his  absence  from 
the  State,  or  of  his  inability,  from  any  cause,  to  perform 
the  functions  of  his  office,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master  shall 
succeed  to  and  be  charged  Avith  all  his  powers  and  duties. 
Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Wardens 
to  assist  the  Grand  Master  at  all  the  Communications  of 
the  Grand  Lodge,  and,  in  his  absence,  and  that  of  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master,  to  preside  therein  in  the  order  of 
their  rank  ;  and,  in  case  of  the  death,  absence  from  the 
State,  or  inability  as  before,  of  both  their  superiors,  the 
Grand  Wardens  shall,  in  the  order  of  their  rank,  succeed 
to  and  be  charged  with  all  the  powers  and  duties  of  the 
Grand  Master. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OP  THE  GRAND  TREASURER. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Treas- 
urer— 

1st.  To  receive  all  moneys  belonging  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  from  the  Grand  Secretary  ;  to  give  him  duplicate 
receipts  therefor  ;  and  to  keep,  in  proper  books,  a  just 
account  thereof :  * 

2d.  To  take  charge  of  all  other  property  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  except  as  provided  in  Sec.  1,  Art.  IV,  of  this 
Part,  and  keep  an  accurate  account  thereof; 

3d.  To  pay  all  orders  drawn  upon  such  funds  and 
moneys,  under  such  regulations  as  may  be  provided  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  : 

4th.  To  attend  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all  its  Communica- 
tions, and  the  Grand  Master,  when  recpiired,  with  the 
books  and  all  necessary  papers  appertaining  to  his  odice  ; 
and  also,  if  required  by  the  Grand,  Lodge  or  Grand 
Master,  to  attend  with  such  books  and  papers  upon  any 
committee  which  may  be  ajipointed  to  act  in  relation  to 
the  fiscal  concerns  of  the  Grand  Lodge  :  and 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M.'.W. ".GRAND    LODGE.  37 

5th.  To  report  at  each  Annual  Communication  a  de- 
tailed account  of  his  receipts  and  disbursements,  with 
proper  vouchers  for  the  latter  ;  and  to  present  a  state- 
ment of  the  existing  condition  of  its  property  and 
finances. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  execute  and  file  in  the  office  of  the 
Grand  Master,  within  fifteen  days  after  his  installation, 
an  official  bond,  in  such  penal  sum  and  with  such  sure- 
ties as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Grand  Master,  condi- 
tioned that  he  w-ill  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of  his 
office,  as  prescribed  in  this  Constitution,  and,  at  the  end 
of  his  term,  pay  over  and  transfer  to  his  successor  all 
funds  or  property  of  the  Grand  Lodge  which  shall  have 
come  into  his  keeping. 

Sec.  3.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his 
services  as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  direct. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

OP  THE  GRAND  SECRETARY. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary— 

1st.  To  record  all  the  transactions  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
which  it  is  proper  to  have  written  ;  and  to  superintend 
the  publication  thereof,  immediately  after  the  close  of 
each  Communication,  under  such  instructions  as  may  be 
given  by  the  Grand  Lodge  : 

2d.  To  receive,  duly  file,  and  safely  keep  all  papers 
and  documents  addressed  or  belonging  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  ;  and  to  present  such  as  may  require  its  action,  at 
each  Annual  Communication  thereof  : 

3d.  To  keep  the  Seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  affix 
the  same,  wnth  his  attestation,  to  all  instruments  emana- 
ting from  that  body,  and  to  all  the  written  official  acts  of 
the  Grand  Master : 

4th.  To  collect  all  moneys  due  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
keep  a  correct  account  thereof  in  proper  books,  and  pay 
the  same  quarterly  to  the  Grand  Treasurer  : 


38  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

5th.  To  report,  at  each  Annual  Communication,  a  de- 
tailed account  of  all  moneys  received  by  him  during  the 
year,  with  a  specific  statement  of  the  sources  whence 
they  were  derived ;  and  to  present  therewith  the  receipts 
of  the  Grand  Treasurer  therefor  : 

6th.  To  report,  at  each  Annual  Communication,  all 
Lodges  which  shall  be  in  arrears  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  or 
which  shall  have  neglected  or  refused  to  comply  with 
any  provision  of  its  Constitution  and  Regulations  : 

7th,  To  conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  to  submit  copies  thereof,  at  each  Annual 
Communication,  for  its  inspection  : 

8th.  To  attend  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all  its  Communica- 
tions, and  the  Grand  Master,  when  required,  with  the 
books  and  all  necessary  papers  appertaining  to  his  ojQSce : 

9th,  To  keep  his  office,  with  all  the  books,  papers, 
and  archives  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  a  fire-proof  build- 
ing ;  and  to  have  the  same  open  at  least  six  hours  each 
day  (except  Sundays)  for  the  transaction  of  Masonic 
business  : 

10th,  To  transmit  to  each  Lodge  Avithin  the  jurisdic- 
tion, once  in  every  two  months,  a  list  of  all  rejections, 
expulsions,  suspensions,  and  restorations  of  which  he 
shall  have  been  notified  by  the  several  Lodges  : 

11th,  To  present,  at  each  Annual  Communication,  an 
estimate  of  the  probable  expenses  of  the  ensuing  year, 
giving  each  class  of  expenditures  under  its  proper  head  ; 
and  also  to  present  an  estimate  of  the  probable  income 
from  the  known  sources  of  revenue,  during  the  same 
period  : 

12th,  To  issue  notices  of  any  special  Communication 
ordered  by  the  Grand  Master,  to  each  Lodge  and  Grand 
Officer  within  the  jurisdiction  : 

13tli.  To  issue  notices  to  each  Lodge,  of  the  granting 
of  a  disj)ensation  by  the  Grand  Master,  for  the  formation 
of  a  new  Lodge  : 

14th.'  To  transmit  to  anv  Lodge,  which  shall  send  him 


CONSTITUTION    OP   THE    M/.W.', GRAND    LODGE.  39 

a  certificate  of  membership  and  good  standing  of  a  de- 
ceased brother,  in  the  form  prescribed  in  Art.  Ill,  Part 
VII,  stating  that  he  leaves  a  wife,  child,  or  children,  a 
Grand  Lodge  diploma  for  her,  his,  or  their  benefit,  free  of 
charge,  when  so  requested  by  such  Lodge  : 

15th.  To  take  charge  of  the  jewels,  furniture,  clothing, 
and  paraphernalia  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  during  its  vaca- 
tions : 

16th.  To  furnish  every  Grand  Officer,  elected  or  ap- 
pointed, with  a  certificate  of  such  election  or  appoint- 
ment : 

17th.  To  act  as  Grand  Librarian,  and  take  charge  of 
the  library  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  under  such  regulations 
as  it  may  prescribe  : 

18th.  To  report,  at  each  Annual  Communication,  all 
unfinished  business  of  the  Grand  Lodge  ;  and  to  present 
ail  such  other  matters  to  its  notice  as  may  properly  come 
within  his  province  :  and 

19th.  To  perform  all  such  other  duties,  appertaining 
to  his  office,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  direct. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  execute  and  file  in  the  office  of  the 
Grand  Master,  within  fifteen  days  after  his  installation, 
an  official  bond,  in  such  penal  sum  and  with  such  sureties 
as  shall  be  approved  by  the  Grand  Master,  conditioned 
that  he  will  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office 
as  prescribed  in  this  Constitution. 

Sec.  3.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his  ser- 
vices as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  direct ;  and  in  addition 
thereto  shall  receive  the  following  fees  : 

1st.  For  a  dispensation  to  open  a  new  Lodge,  the  sum 
of  fifteen  dollars  : 

2d.  For  a  charter  to  perpetuate  a  Lodge,  the  sum  of 
ten  dollars  : 

3d.  For  a  dispensation  to  hold  an  election  of  an  officer 
or  officers  at  another  than  the  regular  period,  the  sum  of 
five  dollars  : 

4th.  For  a  dispensation  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  and 


40  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

confer  the  degrees,  without  reference  to  a  committee,  the 
sum  of  five  dollars  : 

5th.  For  a  dispensation  to  receive  and  act  upon  the 
petition  of  a  rejected  applicant,  within  a  less  period  than 
twelve  months,  the  sum  of  five  dollars  : 

6th.  For  a  diploma  of  any  kind  (except  when  issued 
for  the  widow  or  children  of  a  deceased  brother),  the 
sum  of  three  dollars  :  and 

7th.  For  every  certificate  (except  those  hereinbefore 
named)  requiring  the  seal  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  sum 
of  three  dollars. 

Sec.  4.  He  may,  with  the  approval  of  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter, appoint  an  Assistant  Grand  Secretary,  for  whose  offi- 
cial acts  he  shall  be  responsible,  and  who  shall  be  con- 
sidered an  appointed  officer  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his  services  as  it 
may  direct. 

ARTICLE  V. 

OF  THE  APPOINTED  GRAND  OFFICERS. 

Section  L  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Chaplain, 
during  each  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  to  per- 
form such  services,  appertaining  to  his  office,  as  may  be 
required  of  him  by  the  Grand  Master. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Orator,  at 
each  Annual  Communication,  to  deliver  an  address  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  upon  matters  appertaining  to  the  Craft. 

Sec.  3.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Marshal — 

1st.  To  proclaim  the  Grand  Officers  at  their  installa- 
tion, and  to  make  such  other  proclamations  as  by  the 
Grand  Master  may  be  directed  : 

2d.  To  introduce  the  Representatives  of  other  Grand 
Lodges,  and  all  visiting  brethren  of  distinction  :  and 

3d.  To  conduct  all  i)rocessions  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
under  the  direction  of  the  Grand  Master,  and  to  perform 
sucli  other  duties,  proper  to  his  office,  as  maybe  required. 

Sec.  4.     It  shall   be  the  dutv  of  the  Grand  Standard 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M/.W.". GRAND    LODGE.  41 

Bearer  to  bear  the  Banner  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  all 
processions  and  at  all  public  ceremonies . 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Sword 
Bearer  to  attend  upon  the  Grand  Master,  and  bear«the 
Sword  of  the  Grand  Lodge  in  all  processions  and  at  all 
public  ceremonies. 

Sec.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Bible  Bearer 
to  bear  the  Holy  Writings  in  all  processions  and  at  all 
public  ceremonies. 

Sec.  7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Deacons  to 
assist  the  Grand  Master  and  Grand  Wardens  in  such 
manner  as  the  ancient  usages  of  the  Craft  prescribe. 

Sec.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Stewards 
to  superintend  the  preparations  for  all  festive  occasions 
directed  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Organist  to 
preside  at  the  organ  at  the  opening  and  closing  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  and  to  conduct  its  music  upon  all  occasions 
of  ceremony,  when  required. 

Sec.  10.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Pursui- 
vant— 

1st.  To  guard  the  inner  door  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
communicate  with  the  Grand  Tyler  without : 

2d.  To  announce  all  applicants  for  admission  by  their 
names  and  proper  Masonic  titles,  and  see  that  all  who 
enter  wear  the  jewel  and  clothing  proper  to  their  rank  : 
and 

3d.  To  allow  none  to  withdraw  who  have  not  obtained 
permission  to  do  so  from  the  Grand  Master. 

Sec.  11.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Tyler — 

1st.  To  guard  the  outer  door  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
communicate  with  the  Grand  Pursuivant  wnthin  : 

2d.  To  report  all  applicants  for  admission  to  the  Grand 
Pursuivant,  and  see  that  all  who  enter  are  duly  author- 
ized and  properly  clothed  : 

3d.  To  make  suitable  preparations  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  all  its  Communications,  and 


42  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

see  that  its  hall  is  kept  in  proper  condition  during  their 
continuance  : 

4th.  To  take  charge  of  and  safely  keep  the  jewels,  fur- 
niture, clothing,  and  paraphernalia  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
during  its  Communications  :  and 

5th.  To  carry  all  notices  and  summonses,  and  perform 
such  other  duties  as  may  be  required  of  him  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  or  Grand  Master. 

Sec.  12.  The  Grand  Tyler  shall  receive  for  his  serv- 
ices such  compensation  as  the  Grand  Lodge  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  VL 

OF    THE    COMPENSATION   OF    GRAND    OFFICERS. 

Section  L  Each  of  the  elective  Grand  Officers  shall 
be  entitled  to  receive  payment  for  the  amount  of  his 
necessary  expenses  in  attending  the  Grand  Lodge  at  any 
of  its  Communications  :  but,  in  all  cases,  the  claims  for 
such  expenses  shall  be  ascertained  by  the  Committee  on 
Finances,  and  be  by  it  reported  on,  before  allowance  by 
the  Grand  Lodsre. 


PART    III. 

Of  Suhordinafe  Lodges. 


ARTICLE  I. 

ON    THE    ORGANIZATION    OF    A    LODGE. 

Section  1.  A  Lodge  can  only  be  formed  by  authority 
of  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master,  or  of  a  charter 
from  the  Grand  Lodge  :  and  no  charter  shall  be  granted 
to  any  Ijodge,  until  it  shall  have  worked  a  time  under 
disj)ensation,  and  shall  have  exhibited  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  satisfactory  evidence  of  its  Masonic  capability. 

Sec.  2.     Upon  tin'  petition  of  seven  or  more  Master 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M/.W. -.GRAND    LODGE.  43 

Masons  being  presented  to  the  Grand  Master,  in  the  form 
prescribed  in  Art.  Ill,  Part  VII,  he  may  grant  them  a 
dispensation  to  open  and  hold  a  Lodge  at  the  place 
therein  to  be  named,  with  power  to  make  Masons  and 
receive  members  by  affiliation  ;  and  he  shall  therein  ap- 
point the  Master  and  Wardens  of  the  new  Lodge.  But 
in  no  case  shall  such  dispensation  be  issued,  unless  the 
petition  be  accompanied  by  a  recommendation  from  the 
nearest  or  most  convenient  chartered  Lodge  (if  from  a 
town  or  city  where  more  than  one  Lodge  exists,  then 
from  a  majority  of  such  Lodges),  setting  forth,  in  the 
form  prescribed  in  Art.  Ill,  Part  VII,  that  the  petition- 
ers are  all  Master  Masons  in  good  standing,  that  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  new  Lodge  is  of  manifest  propriety 
and  will  conduce  to  the  good  of  the  Order,  and  that  a  safe 
and  suitable  Lodge  room  has  been  provided  therefor ; 
nor  unless  the  petition  shall  also  be  accompanied  by  a 
certificate  of  withdrawal  of  each  petitioner  from  the 
Lodge  of  which  he  was  last  a  member,  and  by  a  certifi- 
cate from  a  Master,  whom  the  Grand  Master  is  satisfied 
is  well  skilled  in  the  craft,  declaring  that  the  Master  pro- 
posed in  such  petition  is  fully  competent  properly  to 
confer  the  three  degrees  of  Masonry,  and  to  deliver  en- 
tire the  lectures  thereunto  appertaining.  Such  dispen- 
sation shall  terminate  upon  the  first  day  of  the  month  in 
which  the  next  succeeding  Annual  Communication  shall 
be  holden  ;  and  shall  then  be  returned  to  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary, together  with  the  by-laws,  book  of  records,  and 
returns  of  the  new  Lodge  to  that  date. 

Sec.  3.  Upon  the  return  of  the  dispensation  of  a  new 
Lodge,  as  above,  with  a  petition  for  a  charter,  in  the 
form  prescribed  in  Art.  Ill,  Part  VII,  if  an  examination 
of  its  work  and  proceedings  shall  prove  satisfactory,  the 
Grand  Lodge  may  order  the  issue  of  a  charter  to  such 
Lodge,  and  assign  it  such  name  and  number  on  the  reg- 
istry as  shall  be  deemed  proper  ;  and  such  Lodge  shall 
be  duly  constituted  within  sixty  days   thereafter,  or  its 


44  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

charter  shall  be  forfeited.  If  the  examination  be  not 
satisfactory,  the  petition  may  be  totally  refused,  or  a 
continuance  of  the  dispensation,  until  the  next  Annual 
Communication,  may  be  ordered  ;  but  no  such  continu- 
ance shall  be  granted  a  second  time. 

Sec.  4  A  Lodge  shall  consist  of  a  Master,  a  Senior 
Warden,  a  Junior  Warden,  a  Treasurer,  a  Secretary,  a 
Senior  Deacon,  a  Junior  Deacon,  a  Tyler,  and  such  other 
officers  as  its  by-laws  may  provide ;  together  with  as 
many  members  as  it  may  find  convenient. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF   THE    POWERS    AND    DUTIES    OF    A   LODGE. 

Section  1.  The  powers  and  duties  of  a  Lodge  are 
such  as  are  prescribed  in  its  dispensation  or  charter,  by 
the  Constitution  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  by  the  general  regulations  of  Masonry:  and  they  are 
defined  as  follows : 

1st.  Executive — In  the  direction  and  performance  of 
its  work,  as  prescribed  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  under  the 
control  of  the  Master  ;  and  in  all  other  matters,  in  aid  of 
the  Master,  who  is  the  primary  executive  authority  of 
the  Lodge : 

2d.  Legislative — Including  all  matters  of  legislation 
relative  to  its  internal  concerns,  whicli  shall  not  be  in 
violation  of  the  general  regulations  of  ]\Iasonry,  the  Con- 
stitution or  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  its  own 
particular  by-laws  :  and 

3d.  Judicial — Embracing  the  exercise  of  discipline 
over  its  own  members  (except  the  Master)  and  all  other 
Masons  within  its  jurisdiction,  and  the  settlement  of  con- 
troversies between  them  ;  subject  always  to  a  revision 
by  the  Grand  Lodge,  upon  appeal. 

Sec.  2.  Each  Lodge  shall  have  not  more  than  one 
stated  meeting  in  each  lunar  month,  but  may  hold  such 
other  meetings  as  it  may  determine,  or  the  Master  shall 
direct ;  but  no  business  of  any  kind,  except  collections 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M.'.W. •.GRAND    LODGE.  45 

or  appropriations  for  charity,  conferring  of  degrees, 
ceremonial  observances,  or  balloting  for  Commissioners 
to  try  charges  of  unmasonic  conduct,  shall  be  done  at 
any  other  than  a  stated  meeting,  unless  by  dispensation 
from  the  Grand  ]\[aster,  as  provided  in  Sec.  1,  Art.  I, 
Part  II.  And  all  business,  except  the  examination  of 
candidates  and  conferring  of  the  subordinate  degrees, 
shall  be  done  in  a  Lodge  of  Master  Masons. 

Sec.  3.  Each  chartered  and  duly  constituted  Lodge 
shall  be  represented  in  the  Grand  Lodge  at  every  Com- 
munication, by  one  or  more  of  its  proper  officers,  or  by  a 
representative  duly  elected  as  provided  in  Art.  II,  Part 
VII,  which  representative  shall  have  credentials  in  the 
form  provided  in  Art.  Ill,  Part  VII. 

Sec.  4.  Each  chartered  Lodge  shall  transmit  to  the 
Grand  Secretary  a  full  and  correct  return  of  its  transac- 
tions for  the  twelve  months  next  preceding  the  first  day 
of  August  in  each  year,  within  fifteen  days  thereafter,  in 
the  form  provided  in  Art.  Ill,  Part  VII;  and  each  Lodge 
under  dispensation  shall  transmit  a  similar  return  from 
the  date  of  its  organization  to  the  first  day  of  October, 
in  each  year,  without  delay;  and  every  Lodge  shall  ac- 
company such  return  with  payment  of  its  dues  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  for  those  periods,  as  prescribed  in  Sec.  4, 
Art.  VIII,  Part  I. 

Sec.  5.  Each  Lodge  shall  transmit  to  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary a  copy  of  its  by-laws,  as  soon  as  adopted  ;  but  no 
such  by-laws,  nor  any  subsequent  amendments  thereunto, 
shall  be  deemed  valid  until  approved  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  though  they  may  be  acted  under  until  the  next 
Annual  Communication,  if  approved  by  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter. 

Sec.  6.  Each  chartered  Lodge  shall,  within  two 
months  from  the  date  of  its  charter,  provide  a  suitable 
seal,  bearing  such  devices  as  may  be  deemed  proper,  and 
having  inscribed  thereon  the  name  and  number  of  the 
Lodge,  the  date  of  its  charter,  and  the  place  of  its  location  ; 


46  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

and  all  documents  or  papers  of  every  kind  whatsoever, 
emanating  from  such  Lodge,  or  from  its  Master  or  Secre- 
tary, in  his  official  capacity,  shall  bear  the  impress  of 
such  seal,  or  be  considered  null  and  of  no  effect. 

Sec.  7.  Each  Lodge  shall  have  all  official  communi- 
cations from  the  Grand  Master  or  Grand  Secretary  read 
in  open  Lodge,  at  the  stated  meeting  next  following  their 
receipt. 

Sec.  8.  Each  Lodge  shall  provide  the  several  books 
prescribed  in  Sec.  2,  Art.  V,  Part  TV,  to  be  kept  by  its 
Secretary,  which  shall  be  prepared  in  accordance  with 
forms  to  be  provided. 

Sec.  9.  Each  Lodge  shall  provide,  in  such  manner  as 
it  may  deem  proper,  for  the  payment  of  its  officers  or 
representative  in  attending  the  Communications  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  10.  For  the  neglect  or  violation  of  any  duty  im- 
posed upon  a  Lodge  in  this  Constitution,  its  charter  may 
be  suspended  or  forfeited ;  and  for  the  neglect  or  viola- 
tion of  any  duty  herein  imposed  upon  a  Secretary,  his 
Lodge  shall  be  held  responsible. 

ARTICLE   III. 

OF     PROHIBITIONS. 

Section  1.  No  Lodge  shall  remove  its  place  of  meet- 
ing from  that  named  in  its  dispensation  or  chai'ter,  unless 
notice  shall  have  been  given  at  a  stated  meeting  that  a 
resolution  for  such  removal  will  bo  offered  at  the  next 
succeeding  one,  nor  unless  such  resolution  shall  have 
been  adopted  by  the  votes  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the 
members  present  at  such  succeeding  meeting  ;  nor  shall 
such  removal  then  take  place  until  the  action  of  the 
Lodge  shall  have  been  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  or 
Grand  Master. 

Sec.  2.  No  Lodge  in  this  State  shall  receive  an  appli- 
cation for  the  degrees  of  Masonry  unless  the  ap})licant 
shall  have  been  a  resident  within  the  State  durinLi:  twelve 


CONSTITUTION   OF  THE   M.'.W.'.GEAND   LODGE.  47 

montlis,  and  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Lodge  during 
six  months,  next  preceding  the  date  of  his  appUcation. 
Nor  shall  any  Lodge  receive  such  application  from  any 
person,  who,  within  twelve  months  next  preceding,  shall 
have  been  rejected  by  any  Lodge,  unless  by  dispensation 
from  the  Grand  Master,  as  provided  in  Sec.  1,  Art.  I, 
Part  II.  All  such  applications,  as  well  as  those  for  affili- 
ation, shall  be  in  writing,  signed  by  the  applicant,  and 
recommended  by  at  least  two  members  of  the  Lodge,  in 
the  forms  prescribed  in  Art.  3,  Part  YII. 

Sec.  3.  No  Lodge  shall  ballot  upon  such  application 
(except  by  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master,  as  pro- 
vided in  Sec.  1,  Art.  I,  Part  II),  until  it  shall  have  been 
referred  to  a  committee,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make 
strict  examination  into  the  moral,  mental,  and  physical 
qualifications  of  the  applicant,  and  to  report  thereon  at 
the  next  stated  meeting,  unless  further  time  be  granted. 
No  application  shall  be  withdrawn  after  reference  to  a 
committee,  and  it  shall  require  an  unanimous  ballot  to 
elect.  But  if  one  black  ball  only  appear  in  the  ballot- 
box,  the  Master,  without  declaring  the  result,  may  at 
once  order  a  second  ballot  for  the  purpose  of  correcting 
a  possible  mistake. 

Sec.  4.  No  dispensation  shall  be  issued  to  a  Lodge  to 
ballot  for  and  confer  the  degrees  upon  a  candidate  with- 
out reference  to  a  committee  as  provided  in  the  preced- 
ing section,  nor  to  receive  and  act  upon  the  petition  of  a 
rejected  applicant  within  less  than  twelve  months  after 
the  date  of  such  rejection,  unless  the  application  there- 
for be  made  by  the  Lodge,  by  an  unanimous  vote  by 
ballot ;  and  of  the  special  meeting  to  be  holden  under 
such  dispensation,  and  the  purpose  thereof,  the  members 
of  the  Lodge  shall  have  due  notice. 

Sec.  5.  No  Lodge,  unless  it  be  otherwise  provided  in 
its  By-laws,  shall  have  more  than  one  ballot  for  the  three 
degrees  :  but,  though  an  applicant  may  be  elected  to  re- 
ceive them,  if,  at  any  time  before  his  initiation,  objection 


48  THE   CALIPOENIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

be  made  by  any  member,  he  shall  not  receive  the  degree 
until  such  objection  shall  have  been  withdrawn  ;  and  if, 
after  his  initiation,  but  before  being  passed,  or  after 
passing,  before  being  raised,  objection  to  his  advance- 
ment be  made  by  any  member,  such  objection  shall  be 
referred  to  a  committee,  with  power  to  inquire  into  the 
cause  thereof,  who  shall,  at  the  next  stated  meeting 
(unless  further  time  be  given)  report  thereon ;  and 
upon  the  reception  of  such  report,  if  no  cause  for  the 
objection  has  been  assigned,  or  if  the  cause  assigned  be, 
in  the  opinion  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present,  not 
a  valid  and  Masonic  one,  the  Lodge  may  confer  the  de- 
gree in  the  same  manner  as  if  no  objection  had  been 
made. 

Sec.  6.  No  Lodge  shall  advance  an  Entered  Appren- 
tice or  a  Fellow-Craft  to  a  higher  degree  until,  after  a 
strict  examination  in  open  Lodge,  he  shall  have  given 
satisfactory  evidence  that  he  is  entirely  proficient  and 
well  qualified  in  that  or  those  which  he  has  already 
taken  ;  and  no  Entered  Apprentice  or  Fellow-Craft  shall 
be  advanced  to  a  higher  degree  in  any  Lodge  other  than 
that  in  which  he  shall  have  received  those,  or  either  of 
those  degrees,  unless  by  the  official  consent  of  such 
Lodge,  if  it  then  be  in  existence. 

Sec.  T.  No  Lodge  within  this  State  shall  confer  the 
three  degrees  for  a  less  fee  than  fifty  dollars  ;  nor  shall 
any  Lodge  without  the  State,  and  under  this  jurisdic- 
tion, confer  them  for  a  less  fee  than  thirty  dollars  ;  and 
in  every  case  the  fee  for  each,  or  all  of  the  degrees,  as 
may  be  regulated  by  the  Lodge,  shall  accompany  the 
application. 

Sec.  8.  No  Lodge  shall  confer  degrees  upon  more 
than  five  candidates  at  any  one  meeting  ;  nor  shall  con- 
fer more  than  one  degree  upon  any  one  candidate  at  any 
one  meeting  ;  nor  shall  confer  either  of  the  degrees  upon 
more  than  one  candidate  at  a  time. 

Sec.  9.     No  Lodge  shall  expel  a  member  for  the  non- 


CONSTITUTION  OP  THE  M/.W.'. GRAND  LODGE.     49 

payment  of  liis  dues  ;  but  in  case  any  member  shall  have 
refused  or  neglected  to  pay  his  regular  dues  during  a 
period  of  six  months,  he  shall  be  notified  by  the  Secre- 
tary that,  unless  at  the  next  stated  meeting,  either  his 
dues  be  paid,  or  sickness  or  inability  to  pay  be  shown  as 
the  cause  of  such  refusal  or  neglect,  he  will  be  suspend- 
ed from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry.  If 
neither  of  these  things  be  done,  he  shall  be  so  suspended, 
unless,  for  special  reasons  shown,  the  Lodge  may  otherwise 
determine  ;  but  any  Mason  thus  suspended,  who  shall  at 
any  time  pay  the  arrearages  due  at  the  time  of  his  sus- 
pension, together  with  such  further  dues  as  would,  had 
he  retained  his  membership,  have  accrued  against  him 
to  the  date  of  such  payment,  shall  by  that  act  be  restored. 

Sec.  10.  No  Lodge  shall  receive  lectures  from  any 
person  who  is  not  duly  authorized  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
or  the  Grand  Master, 

Sec.  11.  No  Lodge  shall  receive  an  application  for 
affiliation  unless  it  be  accompanied  by  a  proper  dimit 
from  the  Lodge  of  which  the  applicant  was  last  a  mem- 
ber, or  a  satisfactory  explanation,  in  writing,  of  his  in- 
ability to  furnish  such  dimit. 

Sec.  12.  No  Lodge  shall  hold  Masonic  communica- 
tion with  any  Lodge  which  has  been  declared  illegal  by 
the  Grand  Lodge,  or  with  any  person  who  has  received 
degrees  in,  or  is  a  member  of  such  a  Lodge. 

Sec.  13.  No  Lodge  shall  admit  a  visitor  without  due 
inquiry  or  examination,  nor  if  there  be,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  Master,  a  valid  objection  made  to  such  admission  by 
a  member  of  the  Lodge. 

Sec.  14.  No  Lodge  which  shall  have  failed  to  make 
its  annual  returns,  as  provided  in  Sec.  4,  Art.  II,  Part 
III,  and  in  Sec.  1,  Art.  V,  Part  IV,  shall  be  entitled  to 
representation  at  the  next  Communication. 

Sec.  15.  No  Lodge,  until  chartered  and  duly  consti- 
tuted., shall  be  entitled  to  representation  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  ;  but  a  Lodge  under  dispensation  may  send  dele- 


50  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

gates  thereto,  who  may  be  admitted  to  seats  and  be  per- 
mitted to  speak,  but  shall  have  no  vote. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OF  THE  DISSOLUTION  OF  LODGES. 

Section  1.     A  Lodge  may  be  dissolved — 

1st.  By  the  voluntary  surrender  of  its  charter,  when 
such  surrender  shall  have  been  accepted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  :  and 

2d.  By  the  revocation  of  its  charter  by  the  Grand 
Lodge. 

Sec.  2.  The  charter  of  a  Lodge  may  be  surrendered 
if  notice  shall  be  given  at  a  stated  meeting  that  a  reso- 
lution to  that  efiect  will  be  presented  at  the  next  suc- 
ceeding one,  and  if,  at  such  succeeding  meeting,  there 
shall  not  be  seven  members  present  who  oppose  such 
resolution  ;  but  no  such  act  of  surrender  shall  be  consid- 
ered final  until  it  shall  have  been  approved  and  accepted 
by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  3.     The  charter  of  a  Lodge  may  be  forfeited — 

1st.  By  disobedience  to  any  provision  of  the  Consti- 
tution or  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  : 

2d.  By  disregard  to  the  lawful  authority  of  the  Grand 
Master : 

3d.  By  violation  or  neglect  of  the  ancient  and  recog- 
nized usages  of  the  Craft :  or 

4th.  By  failure  to  meet  during  a  period  of  six  succes- 
sive months.  But  no  charter  shall  be  forfeited  unless 
charges  against  the  Lodge  shall  have  been  presented  to 
and  investigated  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  of  which  charges 
the  Lodge  accused  shall  have  had  due  notice  ;  though 
the  same  may  bo  arrested  until  the  next  Annual  Comnui- 
nication,  either  by  the  Grand  Lodge  or  the  Grand  Master, 
upon  satisfactory  reasons  therefor  being  shown. 

Sec.  4.  The  forfeiture  or  arrest  of  the  charter  of  a 
Lodge  involves  the  suspension  of  all  its  members  fiom 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry,  excepting  those 
who  may  bo  specially  exempted  from  such  effect. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   M.'.W. -.GRAND    LODGE.  51 

Sec.  5.  The  surrender  or  forfeiture  of  the  charter  of 
a  Lodge,  when  declared  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  shall  be 
conclusive  upon  the  Lodge  and  its  members ;  and  all  its 
funds,  jewels,  furniture,  dues,  and  property  of  every 
kind  shall  be  disposed  of  as  provided  in  Sec.  5,  Art.  VIII, 
Part  I. 


PAKT    IV. 

Of  the  Officers  of  Subordinate  Lodges. 


ARTICLE   I. 

OF  ELECTIONS  AND  APPOINTMENTS. 

Section  1.  The  Master,  Wardens,  Treasurer,  and 
Secretary  of  each  Lodge  shall  be  elected  annually ,'*!by 
ballot,  at  the  stated  meeting  next  preceding  the  anni- 
versary of  St.  John  the  Evangelist :  and  a  majority  of 
the  votes  of  the  members  present  shall  be  necessary  to 
elect.  They  shall  be  installed  as  soon  as  practicable 
thereafter,  and  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  until 
their  successors  shall  have  been  duly  elected  and  installed. 

Sec,  2.  In  case  any  Lodge  shall  fail  to  hold  such 
election  at  the  time  above  named,  upon  good  cause  being 
shown  therefor,  the  Grand  Master  may  issue  a  dispensa- 
tion to  hold  such  election  at  another  time ;  and  in  case  a 
vacancy  shall  at  any  time  occur  in  either  of  the  offices  of 
Master  or  Warden  in  any  Lodge,  upon  proper  represen- 
tation of  the  necessity  therefor,  the  Grand  Master  may 
issue  a  dispensation  for  an  election  to  fill  such  vacancy. 
But  in  either  of  these  cases,  such  dispensation  shall  be 
issued  only  upon  the  application  of  the  Lodge,  setting 
forth  the  reasons  therefor,  to  be  approved  by  two-thirds 
of  the  members  present  at  a  stated  meeting,  and  to  be 
properly  certified  by  the  Secretary  ;  and  of  the  special 


52  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

election  which  may  thus  be  ordered,  the  members  shall 
have  due  notice. 

Sec.  3.  Every  member  in  good  standing,  and  whose 
dues  are  paid,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  vote  at  all  elections  ; 
and  every  voter  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  in  the 
Lodge. 

Sec.  4.  The  Deacons,  Tyler,  and  such  other  subordi- 
nate officers  as  the  by-laws  of  each  Lodge  may  designate, 
shall  be  appointed  in  such  manner  as  tliey  may  direct : 
and  the  officers  so  appointed  shall  be  properly  invested 
as  soon  as  practicable  after  their  appointment. 

ARTICLE   II. 

OF    THE    MASTER. 

Section  1.     The  Master  shall  have  power — 

1st.  To  congregate  his  Lodge  whenever  he  shall  deem 
it  proper: 

2d.  To  issue,  or  cause  to  be  issued,  all  summonses  and 
notices  which  may  be  required  : 

3d.  To  discharge  all  the  executive  functions  of  his 
Lodge  :  and 

4th.  To  perform  all  such  other  acts,  by  ancient  usage 
proper  to  his  office,  as  shall  not  be  in  contravention  of 
any  provision  of  the  Constitution  or  Regulations  of  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  2.     It  shall  be  his  duty — 

1st.  To  preside  at  all  meetings  of  his  Lodge  : 

2d.  To  confer  all  degrees  in  strict  accordance  with  the 
ritual  whicli  has  been,  or  may  hereafter  be  ordained  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  : 

3d.  To  give,  in  full,  the  lectures  appertaining  to  each 
degree,  at  the  time  it  is  conferred,  in  accordance  with 
such  ritual : 

4tli.  To  superintend  the  official  acts  of  all  the  officers 
of  his  Lodge,  and  see  that  their  respective  duties  are 
properly  discharged :  and 

5th.  To  carefully  guard  against  any  infraction,  by  the 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M/.W.'.GEAND    LODGE.  53 

members  of  his  Lodge,  of  its  own  by-laws,  of  the  Consti- 
tution or  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  of  the  gen- 
eral regulations  of  Masonry. 

Sec.  3.  From  the  decisions  of  the  Master  there  shall 
be  no  appeal  to  the  Lodge  ;  but  objections  to  such  deci- 
sions may  be  laid  before  the  Grand  Master,  and  by  him 
be  dealt  with  in  the  manner  provided  in  Art.  II,  Part  VI. 

Sec.  4.  In  all  cases  of  a  tie  vote,  except  votes  by  bal- 
lot, the  Master,  in  addition  to  his  proper  vote,  may  have 
the  casting  vote. 

•  Sec.  5.  For  the  neglect  or  violation  of  any  duty  im- 
posed by  this  Constitution  upon  the  Master  of  a  Lodge, 
he  shall  be  subject  to  deprivation  of  office,  suspension,  or 
expulsion,  as  provided  in  Art.  II,  Part  VI. 

ARTICLE   TIL 

OF   THE   WAEDENS. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Wardens  to 
assist  the  Master  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  and  to 
discharge  all  those  duties  which  ancient  usage  has  as- 
signed to  their  respective  stations. 

Sec.  2.  In  the  absence  of  the  Master,  the  Senior  War- 
den (and  in  his  absence  also  the  Junior  Warden)  shall 
succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all  the  powers  and  duties 
of  the  Master. 

ARTICLE  IV. 
OF  the  treasurer. 

Section  1.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer— 

1st.  To  receive  and  safely  keep  all  moneys  or  property 
of  every  kind  which  shall  be  placed  in  his  hands  by  order 
of  the  Lodge : 

2d.  To  disburse  or  transfer  the  same,  or  any  part 
thereof,  upon  the  order  of  the  Master,  duly  attested  by 
the  Secretary : 

3d.  To  keep  a  book  or  books  wherein  a  correct  ac- 
count of  his  receipts  and  disbursements  shall  be  ex- 
hibited : 


54  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

4th.  To  present  a  statement  of  the  finances  of  the 
Lodge  whenever  reqiiired  :  and 

5th.  To  perform  such  other  duties,  appertaining  to  his 
office,  as  the  by-laws  may  require,  or  the  Lodge  may  at 
any  time  direct. 

ARTICLE  V. 

OF   THE   SECRETARY. 

Section  1.     It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary — 

1st.  To  record  all  the  proceedings  at  each  meeting, 
which  it  is  proper  should  be  written,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Master  :  and  to  submit  such  record  to  the  Lodge 
at  its  next  stated  meeting  for  approval  or  correction  : 

2d.  To  prepare  and  transmit  a  copy  of  such  record,  or 
of  any  part  thereof,  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  required  : 

3d.  To  collect  and  receive  all  moneys  due  to  the 
Lodge,  and  pay  them  over  to  the  Treasurer : 

4th.  To  keep  the  seal  of  the  Lodge,  and  to  affix  the 
same,  with  his  attestation,  to  all  papers  issued  under  its 
authority,  or  in  obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the 
Constitution  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  : 

5th.  To  transmit  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  immediately 
after  each  election  and  installation  in  the  Lodge,  a  cer- 
tificate thereof,  in  the  form  prescribed  in  Art.  Ill,  Part 
VII: 

6th.  To  transmit  to  the  Grand  Secretary  the  annual 
return  required  in  Sec.  4,  Art.  II,  Part  III,  in  the  form 
provided  in  Art.  Ill,  Part  VII :  and 

7th.  To  report  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  immediately 
after  their  occurrence,  all  rejections,  expulsions,  suspen- 
sions, and  restorations,  in  the  forms  provided  in  Art.  Ill, 
Part  VII. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  keep  the  following  books  of  the 
Lodge,  in  such  forms  as  may  be  provided  : 

1st.  A  Record  Book,  in  which  he  shall  record  all  the 
transactions  of  the  Lodge,  proper  to  be  written,  after  the 
same  shall  have  been  approved : 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  M.'.W.'. GRAND  LODGE.     55 

2d.  A  Book  of  By-Laws,  for  the  signatures  of  the  mem- 
bers in  the  order  of  their  admission  : 

3d.  A  Roll  Book,  in  which  he  shall  record,  upon  pages 
alphabetically  arranged,  the  names  of  all  belonging  to 
the  Lodge  ;  the  dates  of  their  initiation,  passing,  raising, 
or  affiliation  ;  the  name,  number,  and  location  of  the 
Lodges  of  which  those  affiliated  were  last  members  ;  the 
age  and  occupation  of  each  when  received;  and  the  dates 
of  their  withdrawal,  expulsion,  suspension,  death,  or  res- 
toration : 

4th.  A  Black  Book,  in  which  he  shall  record,  upon 
pages  alphabetically  arranged,  the  names  of  those  re- 
jected, expelled,  suspended,  or  restored  by  any  of  the 
Lodges,  so  far  as  he  shall  receive  the  proper  notice 
thereof :  and 

5th.  A  Register,  to  be  kept  in  the  Tyler's  room,  in 
which  all  members  shall  record  their  names  ;  and  all  vis- 
itors shall  record  their  names  and  the  names,  numbers, 
and  locations  of  their  respective  Lodges,  before  entering 
the  Lodge. 

Sec.  3.  He  shall  also  keep  such  Account  Books  as 
may  be  necessary  to  present  clearly  the  account  of  each 
member  with  the  Lodge,  the  receipts  of  the  Secretary, 
and  his  payments  to  the  Treasurer  ;  and  shall  preserve 
the  Books  of  Constitutions  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  which  may  from  time  to  time  be  published,  to- 
gether with  all  the  printed  proceedings  thereof,  as  pro- 
mulgated by  its  order. 

ARTICLE    VI. 

OF  THE  APPOINTED  OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  Deacons,  Tyler,  and  other  appointed 
officers,  shall  perform  such  duties,  consonant  with  the 
usages  of  the  Craft  and  appertaining  to  their  respective 
offices,  as  may  be  required  by  the  by-laws,  or  directed 
by  the  Master. 


56  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

PART    V. 

Of  Individual  3Iason-H. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OF      MEMBERSHIP. 

Section  1.     Membership  in  a  Lodge  may  be  acquired — 

1st.  By  liaving  regularly  received  the  degree  of  Mas- 
ter Mason  therein : 

2d.  By  having  been  duly  elected  for  affiliation  there- 
Avith  :  and 

3d.  By  having  been  named  in  a  dispensation  for  a  new 
Lodge,  as  one  of  the  petitioners  therefor. 

Sec.  2.  No  Mason  shall  be  a  member  of  more  than 
one  Lodge  at  the  same  time. 

Sec.  3.  Membership  in  a  Lodge  can  only  be  termin- 
ated— 

1st.  By  the  dissolution  of  the  Lodge  : 

2d.  By  voluntary  withdrawal  therefrom  :  and 

3d.  By  death,  suspension,  or  expulsion. 

Sec.  4.  A  member  of  a  Lodge,  in  good  standing,  and 
whose  dues  are  paid,  may  withdraw  therefrom  at  any 
time  by  giving  notice  of  his  intention  so  to  do  at  a  stated 
meeting  ;  but  no  recommendatory  certificate  shall  be 
given  him,  except  by  a  vote  of  the  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Lodge  then  present. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF    DUTIES,    PROHIBITIONS,    AND   PENALTIES. 

Section  1.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  Master  Mason  to 
be  a  member  of  some  Lodge  ;  and  every  one  who,  having 
resided  six  months  within  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge, 
shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  make  application  so  to  be,  or 
wlio  shall  not  have  regularly  contributed  to  such  Lodge 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  M/.W/. GRAND  LODGE.     57 

an  anioimt  equivalent  to  its  regular  dues,  while  able  so 
to  do,  shall  be  deemed  unworthy  of  Masonic  considera- 
tion, and  shall  not  be  entitled  to,  nor  bo  the  recipient  of, 
any  of  the  rights,  privileges,  or  charities  of  the   Order. 

Sec.  2.  No  member  of  a  Lodge  shall  be  required  to 
divulge  his  vote  upon  a  ballot  for  afSliation,  or  for  the 
degrees  of  Masonry;  nor  to  assign  reasons  for  such  vote, 
if  it  be  known. 

Sec.  3.  No  Mason  shall  hold  any  Masonic  intercourse 
with  an  expelled  or  suspended  Mason,  with  an  illegal 
Lodge,  with  any  person  who  has  received  degrees 
therein,  or  is  a  member  thereof,  nor  with  any  Mason  not 
acknowledged  as  such  by  this  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  4.  For  non-payment  of  his  dues,  a  member  may 
be  suspended  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Ma- 
sonry, in  the  manner  provided  in  Sec.  9,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III. 

Sec.  5.  For  any  violation  of  the  Ancient  Landmarks 
of  the  Order,  of  the  Constitution  or  Regulations  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  of  the  by-laws  of  his  Lodge,  or  of  any  por- 
tion of  the  Masonic  or  moral  law,  a  member,  or  any  other 
Mason  within  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge,  may  be  repri- 
manded, suspended,  or  expelled,  in  the  manner  provided 
in  Art.  lY,  Part  VI. 


PART    VI. 

Of  Trials,  Appeals,  and  Permlties. 


ARTICLE  L 

relative  to  the  grand  master. 

Section  1.     Charges   may  be   preferred   against   the 

Grand  Master  for  abuse  of  his  power,  violation  of  the 

Constitution  or  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  other 

unmasonic   conduct,  by   any   five   Masters   of  Lodges ; 

8 


58  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

which  charges  shall  be  in  writing,  over  their  signatures, 
and  shall  be  presented  to  the  last  Past  Grand  Master  of 
this  Grand  Lodge  who  may  be  within  the  State,  and  who 
is  a  member  of  a  Lodge  within  its  jurisdiction. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  such  Past  Grand  Master  to  transmit 
a  copy  thereof  to  the  accused,  if  within  the  State,  at 
least  thirty  days,  and  if  without  the  State,  at  least  ninetj- 
days,  before  the  time  designated  for  the  trial,  together 
with  a  notification  to  attend  at  such  time,  and  at  the 
place  he  may  therein  name,  which  shall  be  one  most  con- 
venient for  the  parties ;  and  he  shall  also  summon  four 
or  more  other  Past  Grand  Masters  of  this  State,  who 
shall  be  members  of  Lodges  therein,  to  assemble  with 
him  at  the  time  and  place  designated,  and  shall  notify 
the  accused  thereof. 

Sec.  3.  The  tribunal  thus  assembled,  or  any  of  its 
members,  shall  have  power  to  summon  witnesses  at  the 
request  of  either  party  ;  it  shall  receive  such  testimony 
as  in  its  judgment  shall  be  proper,  and  shall  determine 
finally  upon  the  guilt  or  innocence  of  the  accused  ;  and 
the  opinion  of  a  majority  shall  be  the  judgment  of  the 
tribunal,  and  shall  be  final. 

Sec.  4.  The  only  penalty  inflicted  shall  be  depriva- 
tion of  office  ;  but,  when  thus  deprived,  the  adjudged 
may  be  amenable  to  his  Lodge  upon  a  charge  of  unma- 
sonic  conduct. 

Sec.  5.  The  Grand  Secretary  shall  attend  at  the  trial 
to  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  and  of  the  judgment, 
which  shall  be  filed  in  his  office,  and  shall  be  presented 
at  the  next  Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  6.  All  necessary  traveling  expenses  of  the  mem- 
bers of  such  tribunal  shall  be  paid  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
in  the  same  manner  as  those  of  Grand  Officers  attending 
its  Commmiications. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M/.W. '.GRAND    LODGE.  59 

ARTICLE  II. 
RELATIVE  TO   MASTERS   OF   LODGES. 

Section  1.  Charges  may  be  preferred  against  the 
Master  of  a  Lodge  for  abuse  of  his  power,  violation  of 
the  Constitution  or  Regulations,  or  for  unmasonic  con- 
duct of  any  kind,  by  any  five  Master  Masons  in  good 
standing  ;  which  charges  shall  be  in  writing,  over  their 
signatures,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
if  in  session,  or  to  the  Grand  Master  during  the  vacation. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  the 
Grand  Lodge,  or  the  Grand  Master,  as  the  case  may  be, 
may  at  once  appoint  and  summon  not  less  than  three  nor 
more  than  seven  disinterested  Masters,  to  assemble  as 
Commissioners  to  hear  and  determine  thereupon  ;  and 
shall  then  summon  the  accused  to  appear  and  answer 
thereunto,  at  such  time  and  place  most  convenient  for 
the  parties  as  shall  be  indicated  in  said  summons,  giving 
him,  if  within  the  jurisdiction  of  his  Lodge,  at  least  ten 
days — if  without  that  jurisdiction  and  within  the  State, 
at  least  thirty  days — and  if  without  the  State,  at  least 
ninety  days — to  answer  thereunto  ;  and  transmitting  to 
him  also  a  copy  of  the  charges. 

Sec.  3.  The  Commissioners,  thus  assembled,  shall 
choose  one  of  their  number  to  preside  ;  and  they,  or  any 
of  them,  shall  have  power  to  summon  witnesses  at  the 
request  of  either  party.  The  Avitnesses,  if  Masons,  shall 
testify  upon  their  honor  as  such  ;  if  not,  their  depositions 
shall  be  taken,  in  writing,  before  an  officer  legally  author- 
ized to  administer  oaths :  and,  in  such  case,  the  party  re- 
quiring such  depositions  shall  notify  the  other  of  the 
time  and  place  when  and  where  they  will  be  taken,  that 
he  may,  if  he  choose,  be  present  thereat. 

Sec.  4.  The  Commissioners  may  adjourn  from  time  tc 
time,  at  their  own  convenience,  or  for  good  cause  shown 
by  either  party ;  jjrovided,  that  the  period  within  which 
their  duties  shall  be  concluded,  shall  not  exceed  ten  days, 


60  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

unless,  for   sufficient  reasons,  the    Grand   Master   shall 
grant  them  further  time. 

Sec.  5.  The  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  Commission- 
ers shall  be  deemed  the  judgment  of  the  whole,  and 
shall  be  conclusive,  unless  an  appeal  be  taken  at  the  next 
Annual  Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  6.  The  penalties  which  may  be  inflicted  by  such 
Commissioners,  may  be  either  deprivation  of  office,  sus- 
pension, or  expulsion,  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be 
deemed  proper. 

Sec.  7.  The  Commissioners  shall  keep  a  complete 
record  of  their  proceedings  and  of  their  judgment,  and 
shall  transmit  the  same  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  trial;  and  the  judgment  shall  at  once 
be  carried  into  effect  by  order  of  the  Grand  Master. 

Sec.  8.  An  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge  may  be  taken 
at  its  next  Annual  Communication,  by  either  party,  if 
notice  thereof  be  given  to  the  Grand  Secretary  within 
thirty  days  after  the  conclusion  of  the  trial. 

ARTICLE   III. 

RELATIVE  TO  LODGES  AND  MEMBERS  OF  DIFFERENT  LODGES. 

Section  1.  When  a  controversy  shall  arise  between 
Lodges,  or  between  a  Lodge  and  a  member  or  members 
of  anothei>  Lodge,  charges  may  be  preferred  by  either 
party,  if  in  good  standing ;  which  charges  shall  be  in 
writing,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  Grand  Lodge  or 
Grand  Master,  as  provided  in  Sec.  1,  Art.  II  of  this  Part. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  not 
less  than  five  nor  more  than  seven  Commissioners  shall 
be  appointed  and  summoned,  as  provided  in  Sec.  2, 
Art.  II  of  this  Part,  which  Commissioners  shall  be  Mas- 
ters or  Wardens,  and  shall  be  selected  from  at  least  three 
different  Lodges  not  interested  in  the  controversy,  and 
most  convenient  to  the  parties ;  and  the  accused  party 
shall  be  summoned,  with  such  time  to  answer  as  pro- 
vided in  tlie  section  and  article  last  (juoted. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M/.W. -.GRAND    LODGE.  ()1 

Sec.  3.  The  Commissioners  shall  have  power  to  pro- 
ceed, and  shall  keep  a  record  of  their  proceedings  and 
judgment  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  in  Art.  II  of 
this  Part ;  and  the  penalties  which  they  may  inflict  may 
be  any  known  to  Masonic  usage  ;  or,  if  the  case  be  one  not 
involving  a  violation  of  Masonic  duty,  the  decision  may 
be  such  special  one  as  the  circumstances  shall,  in  their 
jadgment,  warrant. 

Sec.  4.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  by  either  party  to 
the  Grand  Lodge,  as  provided  in  Sec.  8,  Art.  II  of  this 
Part. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

RELATIVE  TO  MASONS  INDIVIDUALLY. 

Section  1.  When  any  member  of  a  Lodge  (except 
its  Master  or  the  Grand  Master),  or  any  Mason  residing 
within  its  jurisdiction,  shall  be  accused  of  unmasonic 
conduct,  charges  to  that  effect  may  be  preferred  by  any 
Master  Mason  in  good  standing  ;  which  charges  shall  be 
in  writing,  over  his  signature,  and  shall  be  presented  to 
the  Master  of  the  Lodge  having  jurisdiction  thereof. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Master,  by  due  notification,  to 
call  a  special  meeting  of  his  Lodge,  as  soon  as  practica- 
ble, and  there  cause  to  be  elected,  by  ballot,  and  by  a 
majority  of  those  present,  not  less  than  seven  nor  more 
than  nine  of  its  members,  who  shall  assemble  as  Com- 
missioners, to  hear  and  determine  thereupon,  at  such 
time  and  place,  convenient  to  the  parties,  as  he  shall  in- 
dicate ;  and  he  shall  also  summon  the  accused  to  apj^ear 
and  answer  thereunto  at  such  time  and  place  ;  and  shall, 
at  the  same  time,  cause  the  Secretary  to  furnish  him 
with  a  copy  of  the  charges,  and  to  notify  the  accuser  of 
the  said  time  and  place  of  trial. 

Sec.  3.  If  the  accused  be  within  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  Lodge,  the  summons  and  copy  of  the  charges  shall 
be  issued  at  least  ten  days  prior  to  the  day  appointed  for 


62  THE    CALIFOKNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

the  trial,  and  shall  be  served  personally  by  the  Tyler,  or 
shall  be  left  at  his  ordinary  residence  or  place  of  busi- 
ness. If  he  be  without  the  said  jurisdiction,  but  within 
the  State,  and  his  residence  be  known,  they  shall  be 
issued  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  day  of  trial,  and 
shall  be  forwarded  to  his  address  by  the  Secretary,  by 
mail  or  other  usual  mode  of  conveyance,  which  shall  be 
deemed  suflQcient  service.  If  he  be  without  the  State, 
and  his  residence  be  known,  they  shall  be  issued  at  least 
ninet}^  days  before  the  trial,  and  shall  be  forwarded  to 
his  address  by  the  Secretary,  as  before  provided,  which 
shall  be  sufficient  service.  If  his  address  is  unknown,  the 
Master  shall  order  the  trial  to  proceed  at  once  upon  the 
testimony,  ex  parte. 

Sec.  4.  The  Commissioners  shall  assemble  at  the 
time  and  place  appointed,  and  shall  be  presided  over  by 
the  Master,  who  shall  decide  all  questions  of  Masonic 
law  which  may  arise  during  the  trial,  but  shall  have  no 
vote  in  the  final  decision  of  the  case  by  the  Commission- 
ers ;  and  the  Secretary,  by  order  of  the  Master,  shall 
attend  them  and  keep  a  full  and  correct  record  of  the 
proceedings  and  of  the  judgment,  under  their  super- 
vision. 

Sec.  5.  The  Master  shall  summon  such  witnesses, 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  his  Lodge,  as  may  be  desired 
by  either  party,  and  the  accused  may  select  any  brother 
in  good  standing  to  assist  him  in  his  defenes.  The  wit- 
nesses, if  Masons,  shall  testify  on  their  honor  as  such  ;  il" 
not,  their  depositions  shall  be  taken  in  writing,  before 
an  officer  legally  authorized  to  administer  oaths,  and,  in 
such  case,  the  })arty  requiring  such  depositions  siiall 
notify  the  other  of  the  time  and  ])lace  when  and  where 
they  will  be  taken,  that  he  may,  if  he  choose,  be  present 
thereat. 

Sec.  6.  The  Commissioners  may  adjourn  from  time 
to  time,  at  their  own  convenience,  or  for  sufficient  cause 
shown  by  cither  ])arty;  'provided,  that  the  |)erin(l  within 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M.'.W.'.GEAND    LODGE.  ()3 

which  their  duties  shall  be  concluded  shall  not  exceed 
ten  days,  unless,  for  good  reasons  shown,  the  Master  shall 
grant  them  further  time. 

Sec.  7.  After  all  the  testimony  shall  have  been  re- 
ceived, the  Commissioners  shall  proceed  to  deliberate 
upon  their  verdict  and  sentence,  with  none  present  save 
themselves  and  the  Secretary,  which  last  shall  have  no 
voice  in  the  proceedings.  The  judgment  of  a  majority 
of  the  Commissioners  shall  be  taken  as  the  decision  of 
the  whole  ;  and  when  the  trial  is  concluded,  the  Secretary 
shall  make  a  fair  copy  of  the  record  and  finding,  under 
their  supervision,  which  shall  be  signed  by  the  Chairman 
of  such  Commission,  and  attested  by  the  Secretary,  and 
shall  be  presented  to  the  Master,  who,  at  the  next  meet- 
ing of  his  Lodge,  shall,  in  the  presence  of  its  members 
only,  announce  the  result,  and  direct  the  Secretary  to 
record  the  same  as  the  judgment  of  the  Lodge,  and  file 
the  record  for  safe  keeping  among  its  archives. 

Sec.  8.  The  penalties  which  may  be  inflicted  are 
reprimand  in  open  Lodge,  suspension,  or  expulsion.  If 
the  sentence  be  reprimand,  the  Master  shall  summon  the 
adjudged  to  appear  at  the  next  stated  meeting,  when  it 
shall  be  carried  into  effect,  in  the  presence  only  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Lodge.  If  it  be  suspension  or  expulsion,  it 
shall  at  once  go  into  efli"ect,  and  the  Secretary  shall  imme- 
diately notify  the  Grand  Secretary  thereof ;  and  it  shall 
be  final  and  conclusive,  unless  an  appeal  be  taken  to  the 
Grand  Lodge. 

Sec.  9.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
by  either  party,  at  its  next  succeeding  Annual  Commu- 
nication, but  not  unless  a  notice  of  such  intended  appeal 
shall  be  given  to  the  Master  within  thirty  days  after 
his  announcement  of  the  result  of  the  trial.  And  in  all 
cases  of  expulsion  or  suspension,  the  Master  shall  cause 
the  Secretary  to  prepare  a  transcript  of  the  record  of 
trial,  and  immediately  transmit  it  to  the  Grand  Secretary, 
together  with  information  of  the  appeal  intended,  if  any 
there  be. 


64  THE   CALIFOENIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

ARTICLE   V. 

OF  EEVISIONS  AND  EESTORATIONS. 

Section  1.  All  judgments  from  which  an  appeal  shall 
be  taken,  as  hereinbefore  in  this  Part  provided,  shall  be 
reviewed  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  before  a  committee 
thereof,  during  its  sessions,  upon  the  record  sent  up,  and 
upon  such  other  proper  documents  as  may  be  submitted  ; 
and  its  decision  shall  be  final  and  conclusive. 

Sec.  2.  All  sentences  of  suspension  shall  be  for  an 
indefinite  period  ;  and  a  Lodge  may,  at  any  stated  meet- 
ing, by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present, 
annul  any  such  sentence  of  suspension  pronounced  by 
itself,  and  restore  the  Mason  thus  suspended  to  all  his 
Masonic  rights  ;  jjwvkled,  that  notice  of  a  resolution  for 
such  restoration  shall  have  been  given  at  the  stated  meet- 
ing next  preceding.'  And  in  case  of  such  restoration, 
the  Secretary  shall  at  once  notify  the  Grand  Secretary 
thereof. 

Sec.  3.  The  Grand  Lodge  may,  at  any  Annual  Com- 
munication, if  good  cause  therefor  be  shown,  restore  a 
Mason  who  has  been  suspended  or  expelled  within  its 
jurisdiction  :  but  such  restoration  shall  not  restore  him 
to  membership  in  the  Lodge  by  which  he  was  suspended 
or  expelled. 

Sec.  4.  No  suspension,  expulsion,  or  restoration  shall 
be  published  otherwise  than  as  hereinbefore  provided, 
except  by  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or  by  order  of 
the  Grand  Master. 


CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  M/.W.*. GRAND  LODGE.     65 

PART    VII. 

Of  Armndments,  Definitions,  and  Forms. 


ARTICLE  I. 

OF    AMENDMENTS. 

Section  1.  Any  proposed  amendment  to  this  Consti- 
tution shall  be  presented  at  an  Annual  Communication, 
and  shall  in  all  cases  be  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Jurisprudence,  who  shall  report  before  a  vote  thereon 
be  taken. 

Sec.  2.  After  the  report  of  said  committee,  if  the 
vote  in  favor  of  such  proposed  amendment  be  unanimous, 
it  shall  be  declared  adopted  ;  and  from  and  after  the 
close  of  that  Communication,  shall  become  a  part  of  the 
Constitution. 

Sec.  3.  If  the  vote  in  favor  of  such  proposed  amend- 
ment be  not  unanimous,  but  there  be  a  majority  there- 
for, it  shall  lie  over  for  one  year,  and  shall  be  published 
with  the  proceedings,  under  the  caption  of  "  Proposed 
Amendments  to  the  Constitution  ; "  and  if,  at  the  next 
succeeding  Annual  Communication,  it  shall  receive  two- 
thirds  of  the  votes  given  thereon,  it  shall  be  declared 
adopted,  and  from  and  after  the  close  of  that  Communi- 
cation, shall  become  a  part  of  the  Constitution. 

Sec.  4.  No  vote  upon  a  proposed  amendment  shall 
be  taken  after  the  election  of  the  Grand  officers. 

Sec.  5.  All  former  written  Constitutions  of  this  Grand 
Lodge  are  hereby  repealed,  as  are  also  all  Regulations,  or 
parts  thereof,  which  are  repugnant  to  or  inconsistent 
with  this  Constitution  ;  and  no  Regulation  shall  hereafter 
be  adopted  which  shall  be  in  violation  of  or  inconsistent 
with  any  of  its  provisions. 
9 


66  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

ARTICLE   II. 

OF    DEFINITIONS. 

The  words  and  terms  used  in  this  Constitution  shall 
bear  the  construction  which  is  given  them  in  the  follow- 
ing definitions  : 

Grand  Master. — This  title  applies,  not  only  to  him 
who  has  been  elected  and  installed  as  Grand  Master,  but 
to  either  of  the  Grand  Officers  who,  under  the  provis- 
ions of  Art.  II,  Part  II,  of  this  Constitution,  shall  have 
succeeded  to  the  powers  and  duties  of  Grand  Master. 

Master. — This  title  applies,  not  only  to  him  who  has 
been  elected  and  installed  as  Master,  but  to  either  of  the 
Wardens,  who,  under  the  provisions  of  Art.  Ill,  Part 
IV,  of  this  Constitution,  shall  have  succeeded  to  the 
powers  and  duties  of  the  Master. 

Past  Grand  Officer. — This  title  applies  only  to  one 
of  the  six  elective  Grand  Officers  who  has  been  regularly 
elected  and  installed,  and  has  served  his  term  as  such  in 
this  Grand  Lodge  ;  and  who  remains  a  member,  in  good 
standing,  of  some  Lodge  under  its  jurisdiction. 

Past  Master. — This  title  applies  only  to  one  who  has 
been  regularlv  elected,  or  named  in  a  charter,  and  in- 
stalled, and  has  served  a  term  as  Master  of  a  chartered 
Lodge,  within  the  jurisdiction  of  this  Grand  Lodge  ;  and 
who  still  remains  a  member,  in  good  standing,  of  one  of 
its  subordinates. 

Representative. — The  Representative  of  a  Lodge 
within  this  State,  is  one  who,  being  a  member  thereof, 
in  the  event  that  neither  the  Master  nor  cither  of  tlie 
Wardens  can  be  present  at  the  Grand  Lodge,  has  been 
elected  by  the  Lodge,  at  a  stated  meeting,  or  at  a  special 
meeting  called  for  that  purpose,  by  ballot,  and  by  a  ma- 
jority of  the  votes  present,  to  represent  it  at  the  next 
Communication.  A  Lodge  without  the  State,  may  be 
represented  by  a  member  of  any  Lodge  under  this  juris- 
diction, elected  as  before. 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE   M/.W.'.GRAND    LODGE.  67 

Vacancy. — Vacancies  in  office,  either  in  a  Lodge  or 
in  the  Grand  Lodge,  may  occur  by  death,  deprivation, 
resignation,  removal  from  the  jurisdiction,  suspension,  or 
expulsion. 

Jurisdiction. — The  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
includes  all  Lodges  and  Masons  within  the  territorial 
limits  of  this  State,  and  all  Lodges  and  their  members 
without  this  State,  acting  under  its  authority. 

The  jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge  includes  all  Masons  residing 
nearer  to  its  place  of  meeting  than  to  that  of  any  other 
Lodge  within  this  State,  except  in  towns  or  cities  where 
more  than  one  Lodge  exists  ;  in  which  case,  each  of  such 
Lodges  has  separate  jurisdiction  over  its  own  members, 
and  concurrent  jurisdiction  over  all  Masons  not  members 
of  one  of  such  Lodges,  who  reside  in  such  town  or  city, 
or  nearer  thereto  than  to  any  other  place  where  a  Lodge 
exists. 

Regulation. — By  a  regulation  of  the  Grand  Lodge  is 
meant  any  resolution,  edict,  law,  or  ordinance  of  any  kind 
whatever,  other  than  the  Constitution,  which  it  may 
adopt. 

Suspension. — The  suspension  of  a  Lodge  is  an  arrest 
of  its  charter,  and  a  temporary  prohibition  to  assemble 
or  work  as  a  legal  Lodge,  until  again  authorized  so  to 
do  by  competent  authority ;  and  the  act  suspends  all  its 
members,  except  those  especially  exempted  from  its 
effect. 

The  suspension  of  the  Master  of  a  Lodge  is  a  temporary 
deprivation  of  his  office,  and  prohibits  all  recognition  of 
him  in  that  capacity,  until  he  be  restored  by  competent 
authority. 

The  suspension  of  a  Mason  is  a  temporary  deprivation 
of  all  his  rights  and  privileges  as  such,  and  prohibits  all 
Masons  and  Lodges  from  holding  any  Masonic  inter- 
course whatever  with  him,  until  he  shall  be  legally  re- 
stored by  the  Lodge  which  suspended  him,  or  by  the 
Grand  Lodge. 


68  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST  OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

Expulsion. — The  expulsion  of  a  Mason  is  the  highest 
penalty  known  to  the  Masonic  law.  It  is  an  absolute 
deprivation  of  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Order, 
and  prohibits  all  Masons  and  Lodges  from  holding  any 
Masonic  intercourse  with  him  forever,  unless  he  be 
restored  by  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Notification. — A  notification  is  a  call  issued  by  the 
Secretary,  by  order  of  the  Lodge  or  Master,  or  by  other 
competent  authority  as  hereinbefore  provided,  to  attend 
for  some  specific  purpose  at  the  time  and  place  therein 
indicated ;  and  it  is  the  duty  of  every  Mason  to  comply 
with  its  direction,  if  he  can,  without  great  inconvenience, 
do  so. 

Summons. — A  summons  is  an  imperative  order,  issued 
by  the  Master,  or  by  other  competent  authority,  as 
hereinbefore  provided,  to  appear  at  such  time  and  place 
as  may  therein  be  designated.  The  obligation  to  obey 
it  is  absolute,  and  the  penalty  for  disobedience  shall  be 
expulsion,  unless  it  shall  be  shown  that  such  disobe- 
dience was  unavoidable,  or  was  occasioned  by  some 
pressing  necessity. 

Stated  Meetings. — The  stated  meetings  of  a  Lodge 
is  the  one  only  meeting  in  each  lunar  month,  at  ^\diich 
business  may  be  done,  with  the  exceptions  specified  in 
Sec.  2,  Art.  II,  Part  III.  It  shall  be  designated  as  such 
in  the  by-laws  of  each  Lodge,  and  no  adjourned  or  called 
meeting  shall  ever  be  considered  as  a  part  of  such  stated 
meeting. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF  FORMS. 

Form  of  Certificate  for  a  Diploma. 

Lodge,  No  .  . . ,  F.  and  A.  M.,  \ 

,  A.L.  58..  j 

To  the  Very  Worshipful , 

Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California  : 

I  hereby  certify  that  Brother is  a  Master 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   M/.W.'.GRAND   LODGE.  ()9 

Mason  and  a  member  of  this  Lodge,  in  good  standing  ; 
and  as  such  he  is  hereby  recommended  for   a  Grand 
Lodge  Diploma,  upon  payment  of  tlie  usual  fees. 
Given  under  my  hand  and  the  Seal  of  the 

Lodge  aforesaid,  at  the  date  above  written. 
[Seal.]  ,  Secretary. 


Form  of  Certificate  for  a  Diploma  for  the  benefit  of  the 
family  of  a  deceased  Brother. 

Lodge,  No.  .  .  . ,  F.  and  A.  M.,  \ 

,  A.L.  58..  f 

To  the  Very  Worshipful , 

Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California : 

I  hereby  certify  that  Brother ,  who  died 

at ,  on  the  ....  day  of ,  A.  L.  58. . , 

was,  at  the  date  of  his  decease,  a  Master  Mason  and  a 
member  of  this  Lodge,  in  good  standing  ;  and  that  he 
left  [here  insert  ^'aiuidoiv,"  "a  child,",  or  "children,''  or 
any  of  them,  as  the  case  may  be],  for  whose  benefit  a  Grand 
Lodge  Diploma  is  desired. 

Given  by  order  of  the  Lodge   aforesaid,  at  the 
date  first  above  written,  as  witness  my  hand 
and  the  Seal  thereof. 
[Seal.]  ,  Secretary. 


Form  of  Petition  for  a  Dispensation  to  form  a  new  Lodge. 

To  the  Most  Worshipful , 

Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  California  : 

The  petition  of  the  undersigned  respectfully  repre- 
sents, that  they  are  Master  Masons  in  good  standing  ;  that 
they  Avere  last  members  of  the  respective  Lodges  named 
opposite  their  several  signatures  hereunto,  as  will  ap- 


70  THE    CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

pear  from  the  dimits  of  each  of  the  petitioners,  herewith 

transmitted ;  that  they  reside  in  or  near  the of 

,  in  the  county  of ,  in  the 

State  of  Cahfornia;  that  among  them  are  a  sufficient 
number  of  brethren  well  qualified  to  open  and  hold  a 
Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  and  to  discharge 
all  its  various  duties  in  the  three  degrees  of  Ancient 
Masonry,  in  accordance  with  established  usage  ;  and  that, 
having  the  prosperity  of  the  Craft  at  heart,  and  being 
desirous  to  use  their  best  endeavors  for  the  diffusion  of 
its  beneficent  principles,  they  pray  for  a  Dispensation 
empowering  them  to  form,  open,   and  hold  a  regular 

Lodge  at  the of ,  aforesaid,  to  be 

called  Lodge. 

They  have  nominated,  and   respectfully  recommend 

Brother as  the  first  Master,  Brother 

as  the  first  Senior  Warden,  and  Brother as 

the  first  Junior  Warden  of  the  said  Lodge,  they  being 
in  all  respects  competent  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  the 
several  stations  for  which  they  are  proposed  ;  and,  if  the 
prayer  of  the  petitioners  be  granted,  they  promise  in  all 
things  strict  obedience  to  the  commands  of  the  Grand 
Master,  and  undeviating  conformity  to  the  Constitution 
and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Dated  at ,  on  the  ...  day  of ,  A.  L.  58. . 


Signatures. 


Name  and  No.  of  Lodge. 


State  or  Country. 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE   M.'.W.'.GEAND    LODGE.  71 

Form  of  Recommendation  of  a  Petition  for  the  Institution 
of  a  neiu  Lodge. 

Lodge,  No.  .  .  . ,  F.  and  A.  M.^ 

,  A.L.58..' 

To  the  Most  Worshipful , 

Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  California  : 

At  a  stated  meeting  of  this  Lodge,  held  at  the  date 
above  written,  the  following  preamble  and  resolution 
were  adopted : 

"  Whereas,  A  petition  for  the  issue  of  a  Dispensation 

to  form  and  open  a  new  Lodge  at ,  in  the  county 

of     ,  has  been  presented  to  this  Lodge  for  its 

recommendation  ;  aiid  luhereas,  it  is  known  to  this  Lodge 

that  the  signers  to  said  petition, in  number,  are  all 

Master  Masons  in  good  standing,  and  that  a  safe  and 
suitable  Lodge-room  has  been  provided  by  them  for  their 
meetings  :  it  is 

"  Resolved,  That  the  establishment  of  said  new  Lodge 
is  of  manifest  propriety,  and  will  conduce  to  the  good  of 
the  Order,  and  that  this  Lodge  recommends  to  the  Grand 
Master  the  granting  of  the  Dispensation  prayed  for  in 
said  petition." 

A  true  copy  from  the  minutes. 

Li  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  affixed  the  Seal  of  the  Lodge  aforesaid, 
at  the  date  above  written. 
[Seal.]  ,  Secretary. 


Form   of  Certificate  of  the    Qualifications  of  the   Master 
proposed  in  a  Petition  for  a  new  Lodge. 

To  the  Most  Worshipful , 

Grand  Master  of  Masons  in  California: 

The  petition  of  ....  brethren,  residing  at  the 


72  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

of ,  in  the  county  of ,  praying  the 

Grand  Master  for  a  Dispensation  to  open  and  hold  a  new 

Lodge  at  said ,  to  be  called Lodge, 

having  been  presented  to  me  ;  and  Brother being 

recommended  therein  for  nomination  as  the  first  Master 

of  said  proposed  new  Lodge  :  now,  I Master  of 

Lodge,  No ,  do  hereby  certify  that,  to  my 

positive  knowledge,  said  Brother is  fully  com- 
petent properly  to  confer  the  three  degrees  of  Masonry, 
and  to  deliver  entire  the  several  lectures  thereunto  ap- 
pertaining. 

Given  at ,  in  the  count}^  of ,  this  .  .  . 

day  of ,  A.  L.  58 .  . 

Master. 


Form  of  Petition  for  a  Charter. 
To  the  M.-.W.-. Grand  Lodge  of  California  : 

The  undersigned  respectfully  represent  that  on  the 

....    day  of A.  L.  58  ...  a  Dispensation  was 

issued  by  the  Grand  Master,  for  the  formation  of  a  new 

Lodge  at ,  in  the  county  of ,  by  the  name 

of Lodge  ;  that  on  the  .  .  .  day  of next 

ensuing,  said  Lodge  was  opened  and  organized,  and  has 
since  continued  successfully  to  work  during  the  period 
named  in  said  Dispensation,  as  Avill  appear  from  its  rec- 
ords, by-laws,  and  returns,  herewith  presented  ;  and  that 
it  is  the  anxious  desire  of  the  members  of  said  Lodge 
that  its  existence  be  perpetuated. 

They  therefore  pray  that  a  charter  be  granted  to  said 
Lodge,  by  the  name  of Lodge,  with  such  num- 
ber as  the  usage  of  the  Grand  Lodge  may  assign  it ;  and 

recommend  that  Brother be  named  therein 

as  Master,  Brotlier as  Senior  Warden,  and 

Brother as  Jiniior  Warden  :  promising,  as  here- 
tofore, strict  obedience  to  the  commands  of  the  Grand 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M.'.W/.GRAND    LODGE.  73 

Master,  and  nndoviating  conformity  to  the   Constitution 
and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

Given  by  instruction  from,  and  on  behalf  of  said  Lodge, 
at ,  this  .  .  .  day  of ,  A.  L.  58.  .  . 


1 


Delegates 


Form  of  Credential  for  a  Bepresentative  elected  hy  a  Lodge. 

Lodge,  No.  ..,F.  &  A.  M.  [ 

A.  L.  58..  \ 

To  the  M.'.W.-. Grand  Lodge  of  California  : 

This  is  to  certify  that,  at  a meeting  of  this 

Lodge,  held  at  the  date  above  written,  it  having  been 
made  known  that  neither  the  Master  nor  either  of  the 
Wardens  thereof  would  be  enabled  to  attend  the  Grand 

Lodge  at  its  next  Annual  Communication,  Bro 

,  a  member  of  the  Lodge,  was,  by  ballot,  duly 

9lected  to  serve  as  its  Representative  during  said  Com- 
munication. 

In  testimony  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand, 
and  have  caused  the  Secretary  to   affix  the 
[Seal.]     Seal  of  the  Lodge,  with  his  attestation,  at  the 
date  above  written. 

,  Master. 

,  Secretary. 


Form  of  Petition  for  the  Degrees  of  Masonry. 

To  the  Worshipful  Master,  the  Wardens,  and  Members  of 

Lodge,  No.  . .  . ,  F.  &  A.  M.  : 

The  undersigned  respectfully  represents,  that,  unbi- 
ased by  friends  and  unintluenced  by  mercenary  motives, 
he  freely  and  voluntarily  offers  himself  as  a  candidate 

10 


74  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

for  the  mysteries  of  Masonry;  tliat  he  is  prompted  to  so- 
licit this  privilege  by  a  favorable  opinion  conceived  of 
the  institution,  a  desire  for  knowledge,  and  a  sincere  wish 
to  be  serviceable  to  his  fellow-creatures  ;  that  he  has  re- 
sided in  the  State  of  California  more  than  one  year,  and 
at  the  place  below  named  more  tlian  six  months,  next 
preceding  the  date  hereof ;  that  he  has  not,  within  twelve 
months  past,  been  rejected  by  any  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  ;  and  that  he  promises,  if  found  worthy, 
to  conform  to  all  the  ancient  usages  and  regulations  of 
the  Fraternity. 

His  place  of  residence  is ,  his  age, 

years,  and  his  occupation 

iDate] ,18... 

\_Signature\ 

Recommended  by  Bros.  \ 

[To  he  memhers  of  the  Lodge.] 


Form  of  Application  for  Memhersliip. 

To  the  Worshipful  Master,  the  Wardens,  and  Brethren  of 
Lodge,  No.  .  . . ,  F.  &  A.  M.  : 

The  undersigned  respectfully  represents,  that  he  is  a 
Master  Mason,  in  good  standing  ;  that  he  was  last  a  mem- 
ber of Lodge,  No.  . . ,  in  the of  ...  . 

,  from  which  he  has  honorably  withdrawn,  as  by 

the  accompanying  certificate  will  appear  ;  and  that  he 
now  desires,  if  found  worthy,  to  become  a  member  of 
your  Lodge. 

His  place  of  residence  is ,  his  age 

years,  and  his  occupation 

{DateX ,  A.  M.,  58 . . 

{Signature] 

Recommended  by  Bros.  •< 

\To  he  memhers  of  the  Lodge.] 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   M.'.W.*. GRAND   LODGE.  75 


Form  of  Certificate  of  the  Election  and  Installation  of  the 
Officers  of  a  Subordinate  Lodge. 

Lodge,  No.  . . ,  F.  &  A.  M., ) 

A.  L.  58..  j 

To  the  Yeiy  Worshipful , 

Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California  : 

I  hereby  certify  that,  at  the  stated  meeting  of  this 
Lodge  held  on  the  day  above  written,  it  being  that  next 
preceding  the  anniversary  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  the 
following  officers  were  duly  elected  for  the  ensuing  Ma- 
sonic year,  viz.  : 

Bro ,  Master  ; 

Bro ,  Sen.  Warden  ; 

Bro ,  Jun.  Warden  ; 

Bro ,  Treasurer  ; 

Bro ,  Secretary. 

And  that  on  the "day  of ,  A.  L.  58 . . ,  said 

officers  were  duly  installed  by  \]iere  give  the  name  and  3Ia- 
sonic  title  of  the  installing  officer] . 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  Seal  of  the  Lodge, 
on  the  day  last  above  written. 
[Seal.]  ,  Secretary. 


Form  of  Notice  of  Rejections,  Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and 
Restorations. 

Lodge,  No.  . . ,  F.  &  A.  M., ) 

A.  L.  58  . .  f 

To  the  Very  Worshipful , 

Grand  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California: 

I  hereby  certify  that,  at  a  stated  meeting  of  this  Lodge 

held  at  the  date  above  written,  the  petition  of , 

an  applicant  for  the  degrees  of  Masonry,  was  rejected. 


76  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASOXIC    LAW.  - 

{Or,  Bro ,  after  due  notice,  as  prescribed 

in  the  Constitution,  was  suspended  from  all  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  Masonry,  for  non-payment  of  his  dues.) 

{Or,  Bro ,  after  due  trial,  in  the  manner 

prescribed  in  the  Constitution,  was  declared  to  be  sus- 
pended from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry, 
for  unmasonic  conduct.) 

{Or,  Bro . . ,  after  due  trial,  in  the  manner 

prescribed  in  the  Constitution,  was  declared  to  be  ex- 
pelled from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry,  for 
unmasonic  conduct.) 

{Or,  Bro ,  heretofore  suspended  by  this 

Lodge  for  non-payment  of  dues,  having  paid  up  all  arrear- 
ages (or,  having  had  his  dues  remitted  by  the  Lodge), 
as  provided  in  the  Constitution,  resumed  his  rights  and 
privileges  as  a  Mason  and  as  a  member  of  this  Lodge.) 

{Or,  Bro ,  heretofore  suspended  by  this 

Lodge  for  unmasonic  conduct,  was,  by  a  two-thirds  vote, 
in  the  manner  prescribed  in  the  Constitution,  restored  to 
all  his  rights  and  privileges  as  a  Mason  and  as  a  member 
of  this  Lodge. 

Given  under  ray  hand  and  the  seal  of  the  Lodge 
aforesaid,  at  the  date  above  written.  - 
[Seal.]  ,  Secretary. 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE   M.'.W.'.GRAND    LODGE. 


77 


Form  of  Annual  Report  of  a  Lodge. 


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00 

GENERAL    REGULATIONS 


x^\x&   W^^H^   ^^    ©alifovtua* 


1.  The  practice  of  dueling  being  repugnant  to  the 
principles  of  Freemasonry,  in  all  cases  where  two  breth- 
ren resort  to  this  mode  of  settling  their  disputes,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  Lodge  or  Lodges  of  which  they  are 
members,  or  within  whose  jurisdiction  they  may  reside 
forthwith  to  expel  them  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  Masonry  ;  and  no  brother  who  may  fall  in  a  duel  shall 
be  buried  with  Masonic  honors.     [1854.] 

2.  All  bodies  purporting  to  be  Masonic  Lodges — held 
in  the  United  States  or  any  of  their  Territories,  within 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  any  State  or  Ter- 
ritory— without  authority  from  such  Grand  Lodge,  and 
all  the  members  thereof,  are  declared  illegal.     [1854.] 

3.  All  Lodges  within  this  State,  having  concurrent 
jurisdiction  with  other  Lodges,  shall  immediately  notify 
such  others  of  all  applications  for  membership  or  initia- 
tion.   [1854.] 

4.  This  Grand  Lodge,  having  recognized  the  principle 
that  no  one  should  be  initiated  into  the  mysteries  of  our 
Order,  except  in  the  Lodge  nearest  his  place  of  residence 
(unless  by  its  permission),  and  having,  by  an  established 
regulation,  taken  care  to  avoid  infringing  the  jurisdic- 
tional riirhts  of  others,  will  not  tolerate  that  its  own 


GENEEAL  EEGULATIONS  OF  THE  M.'.W/. GRAND  LODGE.  79 

be  invaded  ;  and  it  is  therefore  ordered  that  no  Lodge, 
subordinate  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California,  shall  admit 
to  membership  any  person  who,  being  at  the  time  a  resi- 
dent of  this  State,  has  received,  or  claims  to  have  re- 
ceived, the  degrees  of  Masonry  from  any  source  beyond 
its  jurisdiction,  without  the  proper  permission,  until  he 
shall  have  paid  the  Lodge  to  which  he  applies  for  mem- 
■  bership,  the  full  amount  charged  by  that  Lodge  for  con- 
ferring the  degrees,  less  the  sum  paid  by  him  to  the 
Lodge  in  which  he  received  them.    [1855,  1857.] 

'5.  This  Grand  Lodge  recognizes  no  degree  of  Past 
Master  conferred  by  any  authority  not  holden  imder  a 
legitimate  Grand  Lodge — acknowledging  only  the  Order 
of  that  name  as  its  exists  in  the  ceremonies  attending 
the  installation  of  the  Master  elect  of  a  chartered  Lodge  ; 
which  Order  shall  be  conferred  only  by  a  convocation  of 
Present  or  Past  Masters,  not  less  than  three  in  number, 
wdio  have  thus  regularly  received  it.     [1855.] 

6.  All  Masonic  communication  between  the  Lodges 
and  Masons  of  this  jurisdiction  and  those  acknowledging 
allegiance  to  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Hamburg,  is  hereby 
forbidden,  while  that  body  shall  continue  its  unlawful 
and  reprehensible  invasion  of  the  jurisdictional  rights  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York.     [1855.] 

7.  Such  standard  of  revenue  shall  be  continued  here- 
after as  will  afford  an  excess  over  the  current  expendi- 
tures of  at  least  one  thousand  dollars  ;  which  excess  shall 
each  year  be  set  aside  as  an  accumulating  fund,  for  the 
future  erection  of  a  Masonic  Hall,  and  shall  not  be  used 
for  any  other  purpose.  At  each  Annual  Communication, 
a  Board  of  Trustees,  three  in  number,  shall  be  elected, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  judiciously  to  invest  all  moneys 
set  aside  for  such  fund,  and  all  moneys  accruing  from  the 
interest  on  such  investments  ;  and  each  member  of  said 
Board  shall  execute  and  file  in  the  office  of  the  Grand 
Secretary,  a  bond  in  the  penal  sum  of  $5,000,  to  be 
approved  by  the  Grand  Master,  Grand  Treasurer,  and 


80  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OP   MASONIC   LAW. 

Grand  Secretary,  conditioned  that  he  will  faithfully  per- 
form the  duties  of  his  trust.     [1856.] 

8.  All  members  of  Lodges,  the  charters  of  which  have 
been  surrendered,  who  were  in  good  standing  at  the  date 
of  such  surrender,  and  whose  dues  shall  have  been  paid, 
are  entitled  to  and  may  receive  from  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary, a  certificate  to  that  effect.    [1858.] 

9.  No  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction  shall  be  allowed 
to  transact  business,  other  than  the  conferring  of  degrees, 
with  a  less  number  than  seven  members  present.  [1859.] 

10.  The  Grand  Secretary  is  authorized  to  charge  the 
sum  of  one  dollar,  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  for 
each  copy  of  its  printed  proceedings  for  the  current  year, 
other  than  the  four  copies  to  be  sent  to  each  subordinate 
Lodge,  and  those  required  for  transmission  abroad,  for 
future  binding,  and  for  the  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  its 
next  succeeding  Annual  Communication.     [1859.] 

11.  All  Masons,  heretofore  stricken  from  the  rolls  of 
Lodges  within  this  jurisdiction,  for  non-payment  of  dues, 
who  have  not  been  reinstated,  are  hereby  declared  to  be 
suspended,  as  provided  in  Sec.  9,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  of 
the  Constitution.     [1859.] 

12.  The  names  of  Entered  Apprentices  and  Fellow- 
Crafts  shall  be  returned  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  two 
years  only,  in  either  of  those  degrees,  but  this  shall  not 
aflcct  their  position  in  their  respective  Lodges.  [1860, 
1862.] 

13.  In  addition  to  the  dues  prescribed  in  the  Consti- 
tution, there  shall  be  levied  hereafter  u[)on  the  subordi- 
nate Lodges  the  sum  of  seventy-five  cents  for  each  Mas- 
ter Mason  whose  name  is  borne  upon  their  rolls  at  the 
date  of  the  animal  returns,  which  shall  constitute  a  spe- 
cial fund  to  be  denominated  "The  Representative  Fund  ;" 
and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  Lodges  to  pay  the 
said  sum  at  the  time  and  in  the  manner  directed  in  the 
Constitution  for  the  payment  of  their  annual  dues.  At 
each  Aiuiual    Conmmnication,  an  auditing  committee,  to 


GENERAL  REGULATIONS  OF  THE  M/.W.'. GRAND  LODGE.  81 

consist  of  three,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Master, 
who  shall  audit  all  accounts  of  Representatives  of  Lodges 
for  their  necessary  traveling  expenses  to  and  from  the 
place  of  the  Communication,  and  shall  certify  the  amount 
due  each  Representative  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  who 
shall  thereupon  draw  his  warrant  upon  the  Grand  Treas- 
urer therefor  ;  but  no  warrant  shall  issue  to  more  than 
one  Representative  from  any  Lodge,  nor  shall  any  Repre- 
sentative receive  payment  for  such  traveling  expenses 
whose  Lodge  shall  not  have  paid  its  dues  for  the  current 
year,  or  who  shall  not  have  been  in  attendance  during 
the  entire  Communication.     [1861,  1865.] 

14.  The  appointed  Grand  Officers  and  the  Chairmen  of 
standing  committees  shall  receive  payment  for  their  nec- 
essary traveling  expenses  to  and  from  each  Annual  Com- 
munication of  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  the  same  manner  as 
ordered  for  the  Representatives  of  Lodges  ;  but  no  such 
Officer,  Chairman,  or  Representative,  shall  receive  such 
payment  in  more  than  one  of  those  capacities,  nor  shall 
he  receive  it  unless  he  shall  have  been  in  attendance  at 
such  Communication  from  the  first  to  the  last  day 
thereof,  inclusive  (unless  excused  by  the  Grand  Lodge)^ 
nor  if  he  shall  already  have  been  paid  for  such  traveling 
expenses  by  any  other  Masonic  Grand  Body.  [1862, 
1863,  1864.]' 

15.  The  work  and  lectures  presented  by  the  committee 
appointed  for  their  examination  and  revision,  are  ap- 
proved, adopted,  and  made  obligatory  upon  all  Lodges 
within  this  jurisdiction  ;  and  any  Lodge  which  shall  have 
had  opportunity  to  obtain  instruction  therein,  and  shall 
neglect  or  refuse  to  learn  and  use  the  same,  shall,  upon 
representation  of  that  fact  to  the  Grand  Master,  be  liable 
to  the  arrest  of  its  charter,  if,  in  his  discretion,  he  shall 
think  it  proper.     [1863,  1864.] 

16.  Non-affiliated  Masons,  who  are  suspended  by  oper- 
ation of  Sec.  1,  Art.  II,  Part  V,  of  the  Constitution,  if 
they  desire  to  restore  themselves  by  affiliation,  shall  pay 

11 


82  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

a  sum  equivalent  to  six  months'  dues,  in  addition  to  the 
affihation  fee  required  by  the  by-laws  of  the  Lodge  to 
which  they  may  apply;  or,  if  they  desire  to  restore  them- 
selves by  contribution,  they  shall  pay  a  sum  equivalent  to 
the  amount  of  the  regular  dues  of  the  Lodge  within 
Avhose  jurisdiction  they  reside,  during  the  whole  period 
of  such  residence,  unless  sickness  or  inability  to  pay 
be  shown  as  the  reason  for  such  non-aflfiliation  or  non- 
payment.    [1866.] 

17.  When  it  is  the  intention  of  any  Lodge  to  take 
measures  to  apply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  restoration 
of  a  Mason  who  has  been  expelled,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Master  thereof  to  notify  the  members  of  his  Lodge^ 
as  far  as  possible,  of  the  time  when  such  proposed  action 
will  be  had  ;  and  to  cause  to  be  recorded,  in  the  minutes 
of  the  meeting  at  which  such  action  shall  be  had,  the  fact 
that  such  notification  was  duly  given.     [1864.] 

18.  The  person  who  desires  to  be  made  a  Mason  must 
be  a  man ;  no  woman  nor  eunuch  ;  freeborn,  neither  a  slave 
nor  the  son  of  a  bondwoman ;  a  believer  in  God  and  a 
future  existence  ;  of  moral  conduct ;  capable  of  reading 
and  writing  ;  not  deformed  or  dismembered,  but  hale  and 
sound  in  his  physical  conformation,  having  his  right 
limbs  as  a  man  ought  to  have  ;  and  be  able  to  conform 
literalbj  to  what  the  several  degrees  respectively  require 
of  him.     [1864.] 

19.  Whenever  any  Mason,  under  sentence  of  suspen- 
sion, who  has  submitted  to  the  judgment  of  the  subordi- 
nate Lodge,  or  whose  sentence  of  suspension  has  been 
affirmed  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  desires  to  apply  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  for  restoration  to  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  Masonry,  it  shall  be  his  duty  first  to  make  such  appli- 
cation to  the  Lodge  by  which  he  was  suspended ;  and,  if 
it  be  there  refused,  that  then  it  may  be  made  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  provided  that  due  notice  be  given  to  the  subordi- 
nate Lodge  of  such  intended  application.     [1865.] 

20.  Whenever  it  is  the  intention  of  a  jierson,  who  has 


GENERAL  REGULATIONS  OP  THE  M.'.W/. GRAND  LODGE.  83 

been  expelled  from  the  rights  and  privileges  of  Masonry, 
to  petition  the  Grand  Lodge  for  restoration,  it  shall  be 
his  duty  to  notify  the  Lodge  which  expelled  him  of  such 
intention,  at  least  sixty  days  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  accompanying  said  notice  with  a  copy  of 
his  intended  petition  ;  and  before  said  petition  shall  be 
considered  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  proof  shall  be  made  of 
the  giving  of  said  notice.     [18(36.] 


TH 


UNIPOEM  CODE  OF  BY-LAWS. 

As  Revised  and  Recommended  by  the  Grand  Lodge 
IN  INIay,    i860. 


ARTICLE   L 

OF    NAME    AND    OFFICERS. 

Section  1.     This  Lodge  shall  be  known  by  the  name 

of Lodge,  No ,  of  Free  and 

Accepted  Masons,  and  its  officers  shall  consist  of  a  Mas- 
ter, a  Senior  Warden,  a  Junior  Warden,  a  Treasurer,  a 
Secretary,  a  Senior  Deacon,  a  Junior  Deacon,  a  Marshal, 
two  Stewards,  a  Tyler,  and  such  other  officers  as  the 
Lodge  may  deem  proper  to  appoint. 

ARTICLE  IL 

OF  ELECTIONS  AND  APPOINTMENTS. 

Section  1.  The  Master,  the  Senior  and  Junior  Ward- 
ens, the  Treasurer,  and  the  Secretary  shall  be  elected  by 
ballot,  in  conformity  with  Section  1,  Article  I,  Part  IV, 
of  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  other  offi- 
cers shall  be  appointed  by  the  Master,  except  the  Junior 
Deacon,  who  may  be  appointed  by  the  Senior  Warden. 

ARTICLE   III. 

OF  MEETINGS  OF  THE  LODGE. 

Section  1.  The  stated  meetings  of  this  Lodge  shall 
be  holden  on  the in  each  month. 


THE   UNIFORM    CODE    OF    BY-LAWS.  85 

Sec.  2.  Special  meetings  may  be  called  from  time  to 
time,  as  the  Lodge,  or  the  presiding  officer  thereof,  may 
direct. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

OP  INITIATION  AND  MEMBERSHIP. 

Section  1.  All  petitions  for  initiation  or  affiliation 
must  be  signed  by  the  petitioner,  and  be  recommended 
by  two  members  of  the  Lodge.  Every  such  petition 
shall  be  referred  to  a  committee  of  three,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  report  thereon  at  the  next  stated  meeting 
(unless  further  time  be  granted),  when  the  applicant  may 
be  balloted  for  and  received  or  rejected,  or  the  ballot 
may  be  postponed  until  the  ensuing  stated  meeting,  as 
the  Lodge  may  determine. 

Sec.  2.  If  an  applicant,  elected  to  receive  the  degrees 
in  this  Lodge,  does  not  come  forward  to  be  initiated 
within  three  months  thereafter,  the  fee  shall  be  forfeited, 
unless  the  Lodge  shall  otherwise  direct. 

Sec.  3.  Every  person  raised  to  the  degree  of  Master 
Mason  in  or  elected  a  member  of  this  Lodge,  shall  sign 
the  By-Laws  thereof. 

ARTICLE   V. 

OF  THE  TREASURER. 

Section  1.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  moneys 
from  the  Secretary;  shall  keep  an  accurate  and  just  ac- 
count thereof;  and  shall  pay  the  same  out  only  upon  an 
order  duly  signed  by  the  Master,  and  countersigned  by 
the  Secretary.  He  shall,  at  the  stated  meetings  in  June 
and  December  of  each  year,  submit  a  report  in  full  of 
the  monetary  transactions  of  the  Lodge.  The  Lodge 
may  also,  at  any  time,  when  considered  necessary,  cause 
him  to  present  an  account  of  his  receipts  and  disburse- 
ments, and  of  the  amount  of  funds  on  hand. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall,  if  required  by  the  Lodge,  execute 
a  good  and  sufficient  bond  to  the  Master,  for  the  faithful 
performance  of  his  duties. 


86  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

OF  THE  SECRETARY. 

Section  1.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  faithful  rec- 
ord of  all  proceedmgs  proper  to  be  written  ;  shall  trans- 
mit a  copy  of  the  same  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  re- 
quired ;  shall  keep  a  separate  account  for  each  member 
of  the  Lodge  ;  shall  report  at  the  stated  meetings  in 
June  and  December,  the  amounts  due  by  each ;  shall  re- 
ceive all  moneys  due  the  Lodge,  and  pay  the  same  to  the 
Treasurer ;  and  shall  perform  all  such  other  duties  as 
may  properly  appertain  to  his  office. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his 
services  as  the  Lodge  may  direct. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

OF    THE    TYLER. 

Section  1.  The  Tyler,  in  addition  to  the  necessary 
duties  of  his  office,  shall  serve  all  notices  and  summonses, 
and  perform  such  other  services  as  may  be  required  of 
him  by  the  Lodge. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his 
services  as  the  Lodge  may  direct. 

ARTICLE   VIIL 

OF  FEES. 

Section  1.  The  table  of  fees  for  this  Lodge  shall  be 
as  follows:  for  the  degree  of  Entered  Apprentice,  $....; 

for  the  degree  of  Fellow-Craft,  $ ;  for  the  degree  of 

Master  Mason,  $....;  for  Affiliation,  $ 

ARTICLE   IX. 

OF  DUES. 

Section  1.     The  dues  of  each  member  of  this  l^odge 

shall  be ,  payable  quarterly  in  advance. 

Sec.  2.     No  member  who  shall  be  in  arrears  for  dues 


THE    UNIFORM    CODE    OF    BY-LAWS.  87 

at  the  time  of  the  annual  election,  shall  be  permitted  to 
vote,  or  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office. 

Sec.  3.  Any  member  who  shall  have  been  suspended 
for  non-payment  of  his  dues,  shall  be  restored  to  mem- 
bership upon  payment  of  all  arrearages. 

Sec.  4.  Any  member  in  good  standing  may  withdraw 
from  membership,  by  paying  his  dues  and  notifying  the 
Lodge  to  that  effect  at  a  stated  meeting  ;  but  no  recom- 
mendatory certificate  shall  be  issued,  unless  ordered  by 
the  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  X. 

OF     COMMITTEES. 

Section  1.  The  Master  and  Wardens  shall  be  a  Char- 
ity Committee,  and  shall  have  power  to  draw  upon  the 

Treasurer  for  any  sum,  not  exceeding 

dollars,  at  any  one  time,  for  the  relief  of  a  distressed 
worthy  brother,  his  wife,  widow,  or  orphans. 

Sec.  2.  The  Master,  at  the  stated  meeting  next  suc- 
ceeding his  installation,  shall  appoint  an  auditing  com- 
mittee, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  examine  all  accounts 
presented  against  the  Lodge. 

Sec.  3.  All  reports  of  committees  shall  be  made  in 
writing. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

OF  REVEALING  THE  TRANSACTIONS  OF  THE  LODGE. 

Section  1.  When  a  candidate  for  initiation  or  affilia- 
tion is  rejected,  or  a  brother  reprimanded,  suspended,  or 
expelled,  no  member  or  visitor  shall  reveal,  either  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  to  such  person,  or  to  any  other,  any 
transactions  which  may  have  taken  place  on  the  subject ; 
nor  shall  any  proceeding  of  the  Lodge,  not  proper  to  be 
made  public,  be  disclosed  outside  thereof,  under  the 
penalty  of  reprimand,  suspension,  or  expulsion,  as  the 
Lodge  may  determine. 


88  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

OF  THE  ORDER  OF  BUSINESS. 

Section  1.  The  re2:ular  order  of  business  at  every 
stated  meeting  of  this  Lodge,  shall  be  as  follows : 
1.  Reading  of  the  Minutes.  2.  Reports  of  Committees. 
3.  Ballotings.  4.  Reception  of  Petitions.  5.  Miscella- 
neous and  Unfinished  Business.     6.  Conferring  Degrees. 

ARTICLE   XIII. 

OF    AMENDMENTS. 

Section  1.  These  By-Laws,  so  far  as  relates  to  the 
times  of  meeting,  and  the  amounts  of  fees,  dues,  and 
disbursements  by  the  Charity  Committee,  may  be  amend- 
ed at  any  stated  meeting,  by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of 
of  the  members  present,  provided  that  notice  of  such 
amendment  shall  have  been  given  at  the  stated  meeting 
next  preceding  ;  but  such  amendment  shall  have  no  effect 
until  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  or  Grand  Master, 
and  until  such  approval  shall  have  been  transmitted  to 
the  Grand  Secretary. 


B  Y-  L  J^^V  S 


OF     THE 


As   Adopted    May,    A.  L.    5855. 


ARTICLE  I. 


Section  1.  After  the  Grrand  Lodge  is  opened,  the 
Grand  Secretary  shall  call  a  roll  of  the  members. 

Sec.  2.  The  Grand  Master  shall  then  appoint  a  Com- 
mittee on  Credentials. 

Sec.  3.  The  Grand  Master,  after  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Credentials  is  returned,  shall  appoint  the 
various  committees,  as  provided  in  the  Constitution. 

Sec.  4.  The  Grand  Secretary  and  the  Grand  Treas- 
urer shall,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day  of  the  session, 
make  their  reports,  which  shall  be  read  and  referred  to 
the  Finance  Committee. 

ARTICLE  II. 

Section  1.     After  the  business  is  completed,  as  laid 
down   in  the  foregoing  article,  petitions  shall  be  read 
and  referred  to  the  appropriate  committees. 
12 


90  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

Sec.  2,  All  committees  shall  make  their  reports  in 
writing,  before  the  final  close  of  the  Communication, 
and  be  discharged,  unless  otherwise  ordered.  This  is 
not  to  include  the  Committees  on  Foreign  Correspond- 
ence and  Unfinished  Business. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Section  1.  The  order  of  business  at  each  session, 
after  the  first  day,  shall  be  as  follows  : 

1.  Reading  and  approving  the  minutes  of  the  preced- 
ing session. 

2.  Reports  of  the  Committee  on  Credentials. 

3.  Reports  of  Unfinished  Business  of  previous  Com- 
munication. 

4.  Motions  and  resolutions,  and  reference  or  other  dis- 
position of  the  same. 

5.  Reports  of  Standing  Committees,  and  action  there- 
on ;  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Correspondence  to  have 
precedence. 

6.  Reports  of  Special  Committees  of  last  and  present 
Communication,  and  action  thereon. 

7.  Special  orders  and  motions  (if  any). 

8.  Consideration  of  Amendments  to  the  Constitution, 
General  Regulations  and  Rules  (if  any). 

9.  Unfinished  Business  of  previous  session  (if  any). 

10.  Miscellaneous  business,  not  included  in  any  of  the 
foregoing. 

Sec.  2.  Should  the  business,  as  laid  down,  not  be 
concluded  at  the  session  at  which  it  is  first  called  up, 
it  shall  be  commenced  at  the  next  succeeding  session, 
where  it  was  left  off,  and  so  on  through  the  Communica- 
tion, taking  up  the  order  of  business  as  set  forth  :  ^J^'o- 
vided,  that  the  reading  of  the  minutes  be  first  in  order 
at  each  session. 


BY-LAWS   OF   THE   M/.W. '.GRAND   LODGE.  91 


ARTICLE  IV. 

Section  1.  No  member,  representative,  or  proxy  shall, 
under  any  pretense,  be  admitted  into  the  Grand  Lodge, 
without  his  proper  clothing,  or  be  allowed  to  vote  with- 
out his  jewel,  unless  he  oifer  a  satisfactory  excuse,  and 
have  permission  from  the  Grand  Lodge. 

ARTICLE  V. 

Section  1.  In  filling  blanks,  the  largest  sum  or  num- 
ber and  the  longest  time  shall  be  first  stated. 

Sec.  2.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  upon 
the  same  subject,  unless  he  first  obtain  consent  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  nor  then  more  than  five  minutes  at  either 
time. 

Sec.  3.  All  reports,  motions,  and  resolutions  must  be 
in  writing  before  being  introduced. 

Sec.  4.  The  rules  of  order  shall  not  be  suspended  at 
any  time,  except  by  unanimous  consent. 

Sec.  5.  No  new  motion  or  other  business  shall  be 
received,  except  in  regular  routine. 

Sec.  6.  No  motion  to  reconsider  a  vote  or  motion 
shall  be  entertained,  unless  made  at  the  same  session 
of  the  same  day  on  which  the  question  shall  have  been 
decided ;  nor  shall  it  be  in  order,  unless  moved  by  one 
of  the  majority,  and  duly  seconded. 

Sec.  7.  If  the  previous  question  should  be  called  for 
by  the  representatives  of  one  Lodge,  and  duly  seconded 
by  the  representatives  of  another,  and  the  majority  of 
the  members  present  sustain  such  call,  it  shall  be  put  in 
this  form  :  "  Shall  the  main  question  be  now  put  ?  "  and 
if  carried,  such  main  question  shall  be  the  original  prop- 
osition as  amended  at  the  time  of  adoption  of  the  call 
for  the  previous  question. 


92  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

Sec.  8.  Any  of  these  By-Laws  may  be  amended  by 
notice  in  writing  being  given  at  one  session,  and  to  be 
acted  upon  at'the  next ;  and  it  shall  require  two-thirds 
of  all  present  to  carry  such  amendment. 

Sec.  9.  All  other  By-Laws  of  this  Grand  Lodge  are 
hereby  repealed,  from  and  after  the  close  of  the  present 
Communication. 


CALIFOENIA 


Mason  ic  Code 


CALirOB-NIA  MASONIC  CODE. 


POWERS   OF   A    GRAND    MASTER. 

There  is  no  appeal  from  the  ruling  of  a  Grand  Master. 
The  authorities  and  the  reasoning  may  be  found  fully  set 
forth  by  Mackey,  in  his  Masonic  Jurisprudence,  where 
he  gives  not  only  his  own  views,  but  those  of  some  of  the 
ablest  Masonic  jurists  in  the  country ;  and  the  question 
has  already  been  decided  by  this  Grand  Lodge,  vide 
pages  108  and  109,  Vol.  I,  of  our  Proceedings.— (7o?wm2Y- 
tee,  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  100,  1865. 

See  Sec.  2,  Art.  IV,  Part  I.  Constitution. 
Sees.  2,  3,  Art.  V,  Part  I,  Constitution. 
Sec.  -,  Art.  I.  Part  II,  Constitution. 


POWERS  AND  DUTIES  OF  MASTERS  OF  LODGES. 

Besolved,  That  when  it  is  the  intention  of  any  Lodge  to 
take  measures  to  apply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  res- 
toration of  a  Mason  who  has  been  expelled,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Master  thereof  to  notify  the  members  of 
his  Lodge,  as  far  as  possible,  of  the  time  when  such  pro- 
posed action  will  be  had  ;  and  to  cause  to  be  spread  upon 
the  minutes  of  the  meeting  at  which  such  action  shall  be 
had,  the  fact  that  such  notification  was  duly  given.— p. 
354,  1864. 


96  THE    CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

On  the  third  decision,  which  relates  to  the  duty  of  the 
Master  of  a  Lodge  upon  the  decision  of  an  objection  to 
advancement,  your  committee  say  that,  ordinarily,  the 
Master  of  the  Craft  is  the  proper  one  to  judge  of  the  fit- 
ness of  the  materials  of  which  his  building  is  to  be  com- 
posed. But,  when  the  Lodge  has  decided  that  the  appli- 
cant is  worthy,  and  the  required  proficiency  has  been 
attained,  the  Master  should,  if  not  absolutely  contrar}^  to 
his  obligations,  proceed  to  confer  the  next  degree. — Com- 
mittee on  Jurisprudence,  p.  110,  1863. 

The  Master  of  a  Lodge  has  absolute  control  within  his 
Lodge.  Our  ritual  prescribes  that  none  shall  enter  with- 
out his  permission,  and  he  may  refuse  admission  to  any 
at  his  discretion.  He  may  even  cause  a  member  of  his 
Lodge  to  be  excluded  or  removed,  but  he  must  recollect 
that  there  should  be  strong  cause  for  the  exercise  of  such 
an  act  of  authority,  and  that  the  Constitution  provides  a 
remedy  for  those  who  may  be  aggrieved  by  the  abuse  of 
the  power  which  his  station  temporarily  gives  him. — De- 
cision of  Grand  Master  N.  Greene  Curtis,  p.  381,  1860. 

Your  committee  believe  the  law  to  be,  that  in  all  cases 
of  a  tie  vote  (except  by  ballot),  the  Master,  in  addition 
to  his  proper  vote,  has  the  right  to  give  the  casting 
vote. — Committee  on  Grievances,  p.  118,  1859. 

See  Votes  in  a  Lodge,  p.  99. 

Opening  and  Closing  of  Lodges,  p.  97. 

Notifications  and  Summonses,  p.  125.  i 

Admission  and  Advancement  of  Candidates,  p.  lOfi. 

Art.  II,  Tart  IV,  Constitntion. 

General  Regulation,  No.  17. 


MASTERS  AND  WARDENS. 

I  have  been  asked  so  often  to  construe  Sec.  4,  Art.  I, 
Part  V,  of  tlic  Constitution,  that  it  seems  proper  to  re- 


CALIFORNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  97 

peat  here  what  I  have  many  times  decided,  in  answer  to 
particular  inquiries — 1st.  That  the  Master,  or  any  other 
officer  of  a  Lodge,  may  withdraw  therefrom  in  the  same 
manner  as  any  other  member,  and  that  whatever  may  be 
the  rule  elsewdiere,  our  laws  make  no  distinction. — Decis- 
ion of  Grand  Master  Belcher,  p.  251,  1854  :  Approved  ?>// 
Grand  Lodge,  p.  366,  1864. 

;S'ee  Sec.  -,  Art.  I,  Part  IV,  Constitutioa. 
Sec.  -,  Art.  III.  Part  IV,  Constitution. 


OPENING  AND  CLOSING  OP  LODGES. 

A  Master  may,  if  he  choose,  omit  a  portion  of  the  usual 
ceremony  of  opening  or  closing  a  Lodge,  but  your  com- 
mittee are  not  acquainted  with  the  regulation  which 
authorizes  an  entire  ivaiver  of  all  these  ceremonies. — 
p.  7L  1861. 

See  Business  of  a  Lodge,  p.  98. 


W-ORK  AND  LECTURES. 

Your  committee  believe  that  a  uniform  system  of  work 
is  not  only  earnestly  desired  by  a  large  majority  of  the 
Lodges  in  our  jurisdiction,  but  that  the  establishment  of 
such  uniformity  is  entirely  practicable  at  this  time  ;  and 
so  believing,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  such  a  system 
and  affording  to  the  Lodges  a  tliorough  instruction  there- 
in, they  offer  the  following  resolutions  and  recommend 
their  adoption  : 

Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  and  three  Past  Masters,  to  be  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Master,  be  constituted  a  committee,  who  shall 
assemble  at  the  call  of  the  Grand  Master,  for  the  purpose 
of  examining  and  revising  the  work  and  lectures  as  here- 
tofore adopted  by  this  Grand  Lodge. 

13 


98  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

Resolved,  That  when  such  revision  as  they  may  deem 
requisite  shall  have  been  made  by  said  committee,  the 
Grand  Master  shall  appoint  a  Grand  Lecturer  and  as 
many  Deputy  Grand  Lecturers  as  may  be  necessary,  in 
order  that  the  Lodges  of  the  jurisdiction  may  be  fully 
instructed  in  the  system  of  work  approved  and  adopted 
by  this  Grand  Lodge. 

Resolved,  That  the  Grand  Lecturer  shall  receive  a  sal- 
ary of  $1,000  per  annum  from  this  Grand  Lodge,  and  be 
entitled  to  receive  from  such  Lodges  as  he  may  visit  and 
instruct,  all  necessary  traveling  expenses  accruing  by 
reason  of  such  visitation ;  and  that  each  Deputy  Grand 
Lecturer  shall  receive  from  each  Lodge  visited,  the  trav- 
eling expenses  attending  such  visitation. 

Resolved,  That  after  due  and  timely  notice  has  been 
given  the  Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction,  of  the  work 
and  appointment  of  the  Grand  Lecturer  and  Deputy 
Grand  Lecturers,  and  said  Lodges  have  had  full  oppor- 
tunity to  obtain  instruction  in  said  system  of  work  and 
lectures,  any  Lodge  neglecting  or  refusing  to  learn  and 
use  such  work,  so  approved  and  adopted  by  this  Grand 
Lodge,  shall,  on  proper  representation  of  the  facts  to  the 
Grand  Master,  be  liable  to  the  arrest  of  its  charter  (if 
in  his  discretion  he  shall  think  proper),  until  they  shall 
conform  in  all  things  to  the  regulations  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  the  premises. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  pp. 
101-2,  1863. 

See  Sec.  10,  Art.  Ill,  Part  X,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  15. 


BUSINESS  OF  A  LODGE. 

Resolved,  That  no  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction  be 
allowed  to  transact  business,  other  than  the  conferring 
of  degrees,  with  ;V  less  number  than  seven  members 
present. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  107,  1859. 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  99 

— They  discover,  however,  that  in  several  instances  this 
Lodge  has  opened  its  stated  Communications  on  the  first 
or  second  degree  ;  deferring  the  approval  of  the  minutes 
of  the  preceding  stated  Communication  until  after  the 
conferring  of  the  first  or  second  degree,  as  the  case 
might  be.  This  your  committee  deem  an  irregularity, 
believing  that  the  stated  Communication  should  always 
be  opened  on  the  third  degree,  and  that  the  first  busi- 
ness transacted  should  be  the  approval  of  the  minutes 
of  the  preceding  stated  and  called  Communications. — 
Committee  on  Charters,  p.  50,  1861. 

See  Lodges  under  Dispensation,  p.  103. 
Opening  and  Closing  of  Lodges,  p.  97. 
Art.  II,  Part  III,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  9. 


VOTES  IX  A  LODGE. 

Your  committee  believe  the  law  to  be,  that  in  all  cases 
of  a  tie  vote  (except  by  ballot),  the  Master,  in  addition 
to  his  proper  vote,  has  the  right  to  give  the  casting 
vote. — Committee  on  Grievances,  p.  118,  1859. 

(See  Non-affiliated  Masons,  p.  114. 

Sec.  3,  Art.  I,  Part  IV,  Constitution. 
Sec.  4,  Art.  II,  Part  IV  Constitution. 


BALLOTING. 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  following 
proposition  from  Bro.  J.  P.  Miller,  viz.  :  "An  Entered  Ap- 
prentice, made  elsewhere,  petitions  a  Lodge  for  the  second 
and  third  degrees.  Accompanying  his  petition  is  a  per- 
mission from  the  Lodge  in  which  the  first  degree  was 
conferred,  for  any  other  Lodge  to  receive  his  application 


100  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

for  those  other  two.  Can  the  Lodge  to  which  he  a])plies 
confer  those  degrees  without  subjecting  tlie  candidate  to 
the  ordeal  of  the  ballot  ?" — have  given  it  due  considera- 
tion, and  report  as  follows  : 

Sections  2  and  3,  of  Article  III,  Part  III,  of  our  Consti- 
tution, plainly  state  that  every  application  "  for  the  de- 
grees of  Masonry"  must  be  referred  to  a  committee, 
reported  upon,  and  balloted  for  ;  and  that  this  applies  to 
any,  as  well  as  all  of  the  degrees,  is  perfectly  obvious 
from  the  fact  that  our  Constitution  allows  the  Lodges 
who  wish  so  to  do,  to  receive  applications  for  the  degrees 
separately.  The  law,  and  this  plain  construction  of  it,  is 
foiinded  upon  simple  common  sense.  Although  a  distant 
Lodge  may  have  elected  a  candidate  to  receive  the  three 
degrees,  and  may  have  conferred  one  upon  him,  it  does 
not  at  all  follow  that  some  other  Lodge,  within  whose 
jurisdiction  he  has  recently  arrived,  and  to  whose  mem- 
bers he  is  perhaps  an  utter  stranger,  should  confer  the 
remaining  degrees  upon  him  without  first  endeavoring 
to  ascertain  his  worthiness.  The  ^er??imio?i  is  not  a  re- 
quest to  do  the  work  for  the  Lodge  granting  it,  but  sim- 
ply authorizes  some  other  Lodge,  if  it  shall  please,  to 
confer  the  remaining  degree  or  degrees  ;  and  it  is  given 
only  because  both  our  own  Constitution  and  the  common 
law  of  Masonry  forbid  that  any  Lodge  shall  complete  the 
unfinished  work  of  another  without  its  assent.  It  would 
be  singular,  indeed,  if  an  Entered  Apprentice  or  a 
Fellow-Craft  were  to  be  considered  entitled  to  receive 
the  remaining  degrees  or  degree  upon  terms  of  less  care- 
ful scrutiny  than  our  laws  provide  for  the  application  of 
a  Master  Mason  for  afliliation  ;  and  your  committee  have 
no  hesitation  in  saying  that  a  petition  for  any  degree  or 
degrees  must  be  referred,  reported  on,  and  balloted  for, 
unless  there  be  a  dispensation  from  tlic  Grand  Master  in 
regard  to  the  reference,  which  our  Constitution  per- 
mits. —  lieport  of  Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  415, 
1866. 


CALIFOKNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  101 

And  every  Mason  should  know  and  remember  that 

it  is  neither  liis  privilege  nor  his  right  to  inquire  or  to 
know  how  his  neighbor  may  have  voted  upon  any  peti- 
tion, nor  is  it  the  right  or  the  privilege  of  the  neighbor 
to  show  or  tell  how  he  intends  to  vote  or  how  he  has 
voted.— G^rant?  3Iasfer  W.  C.  Belcher,  p.  15,  1865. 

I  think  there  should  be  but  one  ballot  for  the  three 
degrees  ;  and  if,  by  a  fair  construction,  the  law,  as  it  is, 
does  not  prohibit  absolutely  the  use  of  more  than  one,  I 
advise  that  it  be  so  amended  that  it  will. —  Grand  Master 
Belcher,  p.  12,  1863. 

Where  it  appears  evident  that  a  black  ball  has  been  care- 
lessly dropped,  when  a  white  one  was  intended,  or  when 
it  is  shown  that  a  negative  vote  has  been  cast  under  a 
misapprehension  as  to  the  name  or  identity  of  the  candi- 
date, your  committee  think  that  justice  requires  a  cor- 
rection of  the  error.  But  it  is  better  that  such  cases, 
unless  corrected  immediately,  should  take  the  usual 
course,  when  a  re-ballot  is  desired,  and  be  referred  to  the 
Grand  Master,  with  all  the  necessary  evidence,  for  his 
dispensation,  if  he  deem  one  proper. — Committee  on  Ju- 
risprudence, p.  107,  1859. 

The  power  to  cast  adverse  ballots  must  be  free  and 
unquestioned,  or  the  ballot  box  will  cease  to  express  the 
wishes  of  the  members  of  a  Lodge. — Special  Committee, 
p.  113,  1859. 

See  Rejected  Candidates,  p  112. 

Sec.  3,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III.  Constitution. 
Sec.  2.  Art.  II,  Part  V,  Constitution. 


WITHDRAWING  PETITION  BEFORE  BALLOT. 

Your  committee  having  carefully  considered  the  ques- 
tion presented  by  Bro.  Bishop,  in  regard  to  the  course  to 


102  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

be  pursued  upon  an  application  for  affiliation,  report  as 
follows  : 

Taking  the  language  of  Sections  2  and  3.  of  Art.  Ill, 
Part  III,  of  the  Constitution  together,  and  construing 
them  so  as  to  give  every  part  eftect,  there  can  be  no 
question  but  that  an  application  for  affiliation  must  take 
the  same  course  and  be  governed  by  the  same  rules  as 
an  application  for  the  degrees. 

They  therefore  answer  that  an  application  for  affilia- 
tion, having  once  been  referred  to  a  committee,  cannot 
be  withdrawn,  but  must  go  to  a  ballot. — Committee  on 
Jurisprudeiwe,  p.  98,  1865. 

See  Sec.  3,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 


REMOVALS  OF  LODGES. 

In  several  instances  applications  have  been  made  for 
permission  to  remove  only  from  one  building  to  another, 
in  the  same  town  or  village  ;  and,  as  the  undersigned, 
when  he  prepared  our  present  Constitution,  certainly 
never  intended  that  the  prohibition  to  a  Lodge  to  "  re- 
move its  place  of  meeting  "  should  be  construed  so  liter- 
ally, he  has  always  answered  that  in  such  cases  no  action 
but  that  of  the  Lodge  itself  was  necessary.  The  law 
says  that  "  no  Lodge  shall  remove  its  place  of  meeting 
from  that  named  in  its  dispensation  or  charter,  unless," 
etc.,  etc. ;  and  as  the  name  of  the  city,  town,  or  village  is 
the  only  "place"  mentioned  in  either  of  those  instru- 
ments, it  is  only  a  removal  from,  and  not  within,  such 
place  which  can  require  the  proceedings  prescribed  in 
that  portion  of  our  Constitution  providing  for  such 
cases. — Report  of  Grand  Secretary,  p.  22,  18G5. 

In  the  matter  of  the  removal  of  a  Lodge  from  the 
place  of  meeting  named  in  its  dispensation  or  charter, 
they  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  language  of  Sec.  1,  Art. 


CALIFORNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  103 

III,  Part  in,  of  the  Constitution,  will  bear  no  other  con. 
struction  than  that  which  is  given  to  it  by  the  Grand 
Secretary.  They  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  by 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  view  so  expressed,  that  the  Con- 
stitution prohibits  removal  from  the  town  or  city  in 
which  a  Lodge  is  located,  and  not  removal  from  one  hall 
to  another  ivitUn  such  town  or  city. — Committee  on  Juris- 
prudence, p.  98,  1865. 

.S'ee  Sec.  1,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 


LODGE  MEETINGS  ON  SUNDAYS. 

We  have  often  regretted  the  disposition  of  some  of  the 
Lodges  of  this  jurisdiction  to  meet  for  work  on  the  Sab- 
bath, as  we  deem  it  entirely  inconsistent  with  and  con- 
trary to  the  teachings  of  the  institution.  We  distinctly 
teach  regard  for  the  Sabbath,  based  upon  the  example 
of  the  ancient  craftsmen  and  the  words  of  our  Great 
Light ;  and  the  clear  and  only  inference  from  the  teach- 
ings of  our  ritual  is,  that,  as  speculative  workmen,  we 
revere  and  follow  the  example  of  the  Great  Architect 
and  of  our  operative  brethren,  in  doing  "  no  work  on  the 
Sabbath." — Committee  on  Correspondence,  p.  32,  1865. 


LODGES  UNDER  DISPENSATION. 

Resolved,  That  whenever  the  Grand  Master  shall  issue 
a  dispensation  for  the  formation  of  a  new  Lodge,  such 
Lodge  shall  be  required  to  procure  a  suitable  record 
book,  and  enter  therein  a  short  history  of  the  preliminary 
proceedings  for  its  organization,  with  a  copy  of  the  peti- 
tion to  the  Grand  Master  and  of  the  dispensation,  before 
commencing  the  minutes  of  its  proceedings. — Committee 
on  Charters,  p.  121,  1865. 


104  THE    CALIFORNIA    DICxEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  a  charter 
should  not  be  granted  to  any  Lodge  until  it  affirmatively 
appears,  in  a  clear  and  positive  manner,  that  there  is  a 
population  within  its  jurisdiction  sufficient  to  afford  the 
requisite  number  of  contributing  members  and  unworked 
material,  whereby  to  enable  it  to  have  sufficient  pecuniary 
resources  to  support  the  character  and  dignity  of  the 
Lodge. — Committee  on  Dispensations  and  Charters,  p.  120, 
1859. 

See  Art.  I,  Part  III,  Constitution. 

Sec.  15.  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 


PROPERTY  OF  DISSOLVED  LODGES. 

Your  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  upon  the  sur- 
render or  forfeiture  of  the  charter  of  a  Lodge,  all  its 
effects  become  the  property  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  by 
operation  of  the  Constitution  ;  and  they  deem  it  inexpe- 
dient for  this  Grand  Lodge  to  make  voluntary  donations 
from  its  funds  to  individual  Lodges. — p.  360,  1800. 

See  Sec.  5,  Art.  VIII,  Part  I,  Constitution. 
Art.  IV,  Part  III,  Constitution. 


JURISDICTION  OF  A  LODGE. 

Your  committee  believe  that  the  right  of  exclusive 
jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge  over  parties  living  nearer  to  its 
place  of  meeting  than  to  that  of  any  other  Lodge  in  the 
State,  except  in  towns  or  cities  where  more  than  one 
Lodge  exists,  is  a  provision  of  the  Constitution  which 
must  in  all  cases  be  strictly  observed,  in  order  that  the 
harmony  of  the  Craft  be  not  disturbed.  A  Lodge  should 
know  the  exact  extent  of  its  jurisdiction,  and  not  rely 
for  such  informatitm  upon  the  statement  of  jK'titioners  ; 


CALIFORNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  105 

and  if  any  doubt  existed,  certainly  inquiry  should  be 
made  of,  and  consultation  had  with,  the  neighboring- 
Lodge  or  Lodges. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  374, 
1862. 

There  is  no  one  subject  which  has  so  often  called  forth 
an  expression  of  opinion  by  this  Grand  Lodge  as  that  of 
jurisdiction,  and  your  committee  can  see  no  difference 
between  a  temporary  sojourn  imder  a  Lodge  in  this,  and 
under  one  of  another  jurisdiction.  The  principle  is  the 
same,  and  should  be  enforced. — Committee  on  Jurispru- 
dence, p.  117,  1859. 

The  jurisdiction  of  each  Lodge  within  the  State,  ex- 
cept those  located  in  the  cities,  which  have  concurrent 
jurisdiction,  extends  in  every  direction  to  the  geograph- 
ical center  between  it  and  the  contiguous  Lodges.  The 
air  line  governs,  and  not  the  route  of  travel. — Decision 
of  Grand  3Iaster  Claiborne,  p.  293,  1866. 

See  Witnesses,  Testimony,  and  Trials,  p.  128. 

Admission  and  Advancement  of  Candidates,  p.  106. 
Sec.  1,  Art.  II.  Part  Y,  Constitution. 
Art.  n,  Part  VII,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  4. 


CANDIDATES  FROM  OTHER  JURISDICTIONS. 

A  Lodge  cannot  lawfully  pass  or  raise  an  Entered 
Apprentice  or  Fellow-Craft,  upon  whom  the  authority 
of  another  jurisdiction  rests,  without  first  obtaining 
permission  from  the  Lodge  or  Grand  Lodge  in  whose 
jurisdiction  his  original  petition  is  filed. —  Grand  Master 
Claiborne,  p.  293,  1866. 

See  Jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge,  p.  104. 

Admission  and  xVdvancement  of  Candidates,  p.  10(1. 

14 


106  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASONIC    LAW. 


QrALIFICATIONS  OF  CANDIDATES. 

He  who,  in  our  day  and  in  our  country,  so  far  forgets 
himself  as  to  grow  up  to  the  stature  of  a  man  without 
being  able  to  read  or  write,  or  who,  having  arrived  at 
man's  estate,  neglects  to  acquire  that  ability,  is  not 
deserving  a  place  in  our  midst.  He  is  not  just  and  true 
to  himself,  nor  can  he  be  so  to  us. —  Grand  blaster  Belcher, 
p.  15,  1865. 

"The  person  who  desires  to  be  made  a  Mason  must  be 
a  man  ;  no  woman  nor  eunuch  ;  freeborn,  neither  a  slave 
nor  the  son  of  a  bondwoman  ;  a  believer  in  God  and  a 
future  existence  ;  of  moral  conduct ;  capable  of  reading 
and  writing  ;  not  deformed  or  dismembered,  but  hale 
and  sound  in  his  physical  conformation,  having  his  right 
limbs  as  a  man  ought  to  have  ;  and  be  able  to  conform 
literally  to  what  the  several  degrees  respectively  re- 
quire of  him." — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  364, 1864  ; 
adopted  a.s  a  General  Regulation. 


ADMISSION  AND  ADVANCEMENT  OF  CANDIDATES. 

"  If  an  Entered  Apprentice  removes  from  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Lodge  in  which  he  received  that  degree,  and 
is  dropped  from  the  report  of  the  Lodge  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  after  two  years,  as  provided  by  our  laws,  can  he 
petition  another  Lodge  within  whose  jurisdiction  he  may 
live,  for  the  remaining  degrees  and  receive  them,  if 
elected  ?  " — the  Committee  on  Jurisprudence  report  that, 
under  the  provision  of  Sec.  6,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  of  our 
Constitution,  he  cannot.  He  may  apply  to  the  Lodge 
into  whose  jurisdiction  he  may  have  removed,  but  his 
application  must  be  accompanied  by  a  permission  from 
the  Lodge  in  which  he  received  his  first  degree,  if  it  be 
in  existence,  else  his  petition  cannot  be  received. 


CALIFOENIA   MASONIC    CODE.  107 

At  first  your  committee  were  of  opinion,  that  the  act 
of  dropping  the  Entered  Apprentice  from  the  return  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  was  a  relinquishment  of  all  claim  to 
him,  but  further  examination  shows  that  the  law  is  plain, 
and  to  that  the  Lodges  must  adhere.  It  is  not  supposed 
that  any  Lodge  to  whom  application  is  made  would 
refuse  or  neglect  to  give  such  permission  without  good 
reason,  which,  as  Masons,  they  would  be  willing  to  state. 
— Committee  on  Jurispritdence,  p.  349,  1864. 

1st.  When  an  objection  has  been  made,  and  a  commit- 
tee appointed  to  investigate  the  causes  of  objection, 
what  is  the  duty  of  the  committee  ;  and  may  they  advise 
the  candidate  of  the  objection,  and  hear  his  defense  ? 

2d.  When  a  member  of  the  Lodge  has  interposed  an 
objection,  stating  the  cause,  and  the  Lodge,  upon  the 
report  of  its  committee,  has  decided  that  it  is  not  "  a 
valid  and  Masonic  one,"  has  the  same  member,  or  another, 
the  right  to  interpose  the  same  objection  a  second  time, 
or  any  objection  for  the  same  cause? 

3d.  When  an  objection  has  been  decided  by  the  Lodge 
not  to  be  "  a  valid  and  Masonic  one,"  is  it  the  duty  of  the 
Master  to  proceed  to  confer  the  remaining  degree  or 
degrees  whenever  the  candidate  exhibits  suitable  pro- 
ficiency ? 

I  report  to  you  m}^  decisions  upon  these  questions, 
that  you  may  take  such  action  upon  them  as  shall  seem 
just,  and  in  accordance  Avith  the  spirit  of  the  law,  so 
that  the  Craft  may  be  advised  of  the  rights  of  all  par- 
ties interested  in  like  cases  which  may  arise  hereafter. 

1st.  The  committee  is  appointed  to  hear  the  testimony 
that  may  be  adduced,  and  to  inquire  into,  determine, 
and  report  the  facts  to  the  Lodge  for  its  advisement, 
that  it  may  wisely  determine  whether  or  not  the  objec- 
tion is  well  founded ;  or,  in  the  language  of  the  clause, 
whether  or  not  the  cause  is  a  valid  and  Masonic  one. 
That  the  committee  may  arrive  at  the  facts,  it  must  hear 


108  THE    CALIFORXIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

all  the  testinion}^  as  well  for  the  defense  as  the  prosecu- 
tion. The  candidate  is  a  Mason,  and,  before  conviction, 
should  be  heard — should  have  his  day  in  court.  In  many 
cases  he  should  therefore  be  informed  of  the  objection 
made  against  him,  and  should  be  heard  in  his  defense. 

2d.  When  a  member  of  the  Lodge  has  objected  to  the 
advancement  of  a  candidate,  stating  the  cause  of  objec- 
tion, and  the  cause  of  objection  has  been  inquired  into, 
and  decided  by  the  Lodge  not  to  be  "  a  valid  and  Masonic 
one,"' it  is  not  competent  for  the  same,  or  another  mem- 
ber, to  interpose  a  second  objection  for  the  same  cause, 
except  on  the  ground  of  newly-discov^ered  and  material 
evidence,  or  for  acts  subsequently  committed.  In  the 
first  instance,  it  is  the  right  of  every  member  to  object, 
M  itliout  stating  the  cause,  if  he  so  choose  ;  but  if  he,  or 
another,  desires  to  interpose  a  second  objection,  he  must 
state  the  grounds  on  Avhich  it  is  based,  and  it  is  for  the 
Lodge  to  determine  whether  it  will  or  should  consider 
the  second  objection. 

3d.  When  the  Lodge  has  decided  that  the  objection  is 
not  sustained,  or  that  the  cause  is  not  a  valid  and  Masonic 
one,  and  the  candidate  has  attained  suitable  proficiency, 
it  is  his  right  to  ask  to  receive  the  remaining  degrees, 
and  it  is  the  duty  of  the  Master  to  confer  them.  He  has 
])romised  "  to  submit  to  the  aAvards  of  his  brethren,  when 
convened,  in  ever}^  case  consistent  with  the  constitutions 
of  the  Order."  When  the  Lodge  has  decided  that  the 
(candidate  is  worth}',  and  he  presents  himself,  read}^  to 
approve  his  proficiency,  the  Master  may  not  refuse  to 
confer  the  remaining  degrees,  and  thus  overrule  the 
action  of  his  Lodge. — Decisions  of  Grand  Master  Belclier, 
p.  13,  1863. 

In  regard  to  the  first  decision  of  the  Grand  Master, 
your  committee  conceive  that  it  is  strictly  in  accordance 
with  the  common-sense  doctrine  that  there  is  a  remedy 
for  every  wrong.     It  must  be  borne  in  mind  always  that 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  109 

under  the  original  organization  of  the  Fraternity,  the 
Entered  Apprentices  formed  the  great  body  of  Masons  ; 
and  that  only  in  modern  times  have  they  been  placed  in 
their  present  position  in  regard  to  the  body  of  the  Fra- 
ternity. So  few  rights  are  left  to  them  that  not  only 
charity,  but  justice,  demands  that  those  remaining  rights 
receive  a  liberal  construction.  No  man  should  be  con- 
demned without  a  hearing.  This  would  virtually  be 
done  if  we  decide  that  the  brother  whoso  advancement 
is  objected  to,  can  have  no  knowledge  of  the  objection 
and  no  opportunity  of  combating  it  ;  and  your  commit- 
tee apprehend  that  "  our  law  condemns  no  man  before  it 
hears  what  he  says."  They,  therefore,  recommend  that 
the  decision  of  the  Grand  Master,  made  in  these  words  : 
"  In  many  cases,  therefore,  he  should  be  informed  of  the 
objection  against  him  and  be  heard  in  his  defense " — 
be  and  the  same  is  hereby  approved. 

Upon  the  second  decision,  your  committee  believe  that 
the  rule — that  a  man  shall  not  be  twice  placed  in  jeop- 
ardy for  the  same  offense — is  entirely  applicable  to  Ma- 
sonic jurisprudence.  If  a  committee,  appointed  for  the 
purpose,  has  properly  attended  to  its  duty,  has  inves- 
tigated the  objection  made  against  a  brother's  advance- 
ment, has  reported  the  objection  as  "  not  a  valid  and 
Masonic  one,"  and  the  Lodge  has  adopted  the  report,  and 
thus,  by  a  two-third  vote,  has  ratified  the  finding  of  the 
committee,  then  the  brother  who  has  made  the  objection, 
and  the  minority,  acting  with  him,  should  yield  their 
opinion.  It  amounts,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee, 
to  factious  opposition  on  the  part  of  any  brother  thus  to 
set  up  his  own  view  against  so  large  a  majority  of  his 
brethren  ;  and,  when  he  has  been  decided  against,  to 
renew  the  very  same  objection.  Your  committee  there- 
fore recommend  the  approval  of  the  second  decision  of 
the  Grand  Master,  given  in  these  words  :  "  It  is  not  com- 
petent for  the  same  or  another  member  to  interpose  a 
second    objection    for    the    same    cause,   except   on    the 


110  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

ground  of  newly-discovered  and  material  evidence,  or  for 
acts  subsequently  committed." 

On  the  third  decision,  which  relates  to  the  duty  of  the 
Master  of  a  Lodge  upon  the  decision  of  an  objection  to 
advancement,  your  committee  say  that,  ordinarily,  the 
Master  of  the  Craft  is  the  proper  one  to  judge  of  the  fit- 
ness of  the  materials  of  which  his  building  is  to  be 
composed.  But,  Avhen  the  Lodge  has  decided  that  the 
applicant  is  worthy,  and  the  required  proficienc}'^  has 
been  attained,  the  Master  should,  if  not  absolutely  con- 
trary to  his  obligations,  proceed  to  confer  the  next 
degree.  Your  committee  would  take  away  no  right 
from  the  Master  of  a  Lodge  which  is  his  by  ancient 
usage,  conferred  for  the  best  good  of  the  Craft.  They 
would  give  no  countenance  to  the  spirit  of  innovation  so 
prevalent  in  our  free  country.  They  would  not  relieve 
the  Master  from  any  responsihility  which  he  of  right 
should  assume.  He  should  not  rule  his  Lodge  in  a 
haughty  or  arbitrary  manner,  but  should,  when  proper — 
that  is,  when  no  harm  can  accrue  to  the  Craft  there- 
from— yield  to  the  decision  of  his  brethren  when  consti- 
tutionally expressed.  They  therefore  recommend  the 
approval  of  the  Grand  Master's  third  decision. — Commit- 
tee on  Jurisjjrudence,  p.  110,  1863. 

"When  a  brother  has  been  initiated,  has  remained 
upon  the  roll  of  a  Lodge  as  an  Entered  Apprentice  over 
two  years,  and  has  been  dropped  from  the  roll  under 
General  Regulation  No.  12,  what  action  is  necessary  on 
the  part  of  the  Lodge  to  authorize  the  conferring  of  the 
other  degrees  upon  liim  ?  "  respectfully  report  as  follows  : 

Where  a  Lodge  has  balloted  for  all  three  degrees  at 
the  same  time,  if  no  objection  is  made,  as  provided  in  the 
Constitution,  nothing  is  necessary  but  to  re(|uire  pro- 
ficiency. 

Where  a  Lodge  ballots  separately  for  each  degree,  a 
clear  ballot  and  proof  of  proficiency  only  are  necessary. 


■u- 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  Ill 

The  object  of  the  12th  Regulation  was  not  to  alter  the 
statm  in  a  Lodge  of  persons  who  had  been  initiated  or 
passed,  but  simply  to  prevent  cumbering  the  rolls  annu- 
ally returned  to  the  Grand  Lodge  with  the  names  of 
those  who,  for  two  years  or  more,  had  remained  Entered 
Apprentices  or  Fellow-Crafts. — Committee  on  Jurispi 
dence,  pp.  385-6,  1862. 

See  Powers  and  Duties  of  Masters  of  Lodges,  p.  95. 
Candidates  from  other  Jurisdictions,  p.  105. 
Conferring  Degrees  and  rroficiency,  p.  111. 
Balloting,  p.  99. 
Rejected  Candidates,  p.  112. 
Sec.  1,  Art.  I,  Part  II,  Constitution. 
Art.  3,  Part  III,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  12. 


CONFEREING  DEGREES  AND  PROFICIENCY. 

Some  of  the  Lodges  are  inclined  to  manifest  too  great 
haste  in  conferring  the  several  degrees,  as,  in  one  instance 
in  particular,  a  candidate  was  passed  one  night  and  raised 
on  the  next.  Though  our  regulations  fix  no  period  of 
time  as  necessary  to  elapse  between  the  conferring  of 
the  several  degrees — requiring  only  absolute  proficiency 
in  that  last  received  before  another  shall  be  conferred — 
it  is  certain  that  more  time  than  a  single  day  ought  to  be 
devoted  to  that  reflection  and  deliberation  so  essential  to 
a  proper  understanding  of  the  sublime  principles  of  our 
Order  ;  and  he  who  too  hastily  passes  through  our  solemn 
ceremonies  is  ill  prepared  to  attach  to  them  that  dignity 
and  importance  which  their  moral  precepts  demand. 
When  Lodges  are  about  to  pass  upon  the  proficiency  of 
candidates,  let  them  remember  how  important  it  is,  both 
to  the  Fraternity  and  the  applicants,  that  the  examination 
be  most  thorough,  and  the  evidences  of  a  knowledge  of 
that  which  has  gone  before,  absolute  and  complete. — 
Committee  on  Charters,  p.  363,  1862. 
See  Balloting,  p.  99. 


112  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 


REJECTED  CANDIDATES. 

I  therefore  decided  that  an  objection  made  to  the  initia- 
tion of  one  who  had  been  elected  to  receive  the  degrees 
of  Masonry  in  a  Lodge  was,  unless  withdrawn,  equivalent 
to  a  rejection,  and  should  be  so  reported  by  the  Secre- 
tary to  the  Grand  Secretary  ;  and  that  the  party  so 
rejected  might,  at  any  time  after  one  year,  again  petition 
that  or  another  Lodge,  as  in  cases  of  rejections. —  Grand 
Master  Belcher,  p.  13, 1865  ;  a^jproved  hy  the  Grand  Lodge, 
see  p.  98,  1865. 

When,  after  initiation,  but  before  passing  or  raising, 
an  objection  has  been  made,  and  has  been,  by  proper 
proceedings,  declared  by  the  Lodge  to  be  a  "  valid  and 
Masonic  objection,"  what  is  the  effect  of  the  objection  so 
declared  to  be  "valid  and  Masonic?"  Is  it  a  rejection 
for  the  remaining  degree  or  degrees,  or  a  suspension  ; 
and  if  a  rejection,  when  and  how  can  the  rejected  candi- 
date again  apply  for  advancement? 

In  my  judgment  it  is  not  a  suspension  from  the  rights 
and  privileges  which  he  has  acquired  as  an  Entered 
Apprentice  or  a  Fellow-Graft — for  of  these  he  can  only 
be  deprived  by  a  trial,  in  the  form  prescribed  by  our  law 
and  by  the  judgment  of  his  peers — but  is  a  rejection  ; 
and  the  same  rule  should  apply  as  in  cases  where  a  sep- 
arate ballot  is  required  for  each  degree  and  one  is  rejected 
for  the  second  or  third  degree.  Considering  it  a  rejec- 
tion, I  was  yet  in  doubt  what  course  should  be  pursued  ; 
whether  he  must  wait  a  full  year  before  making  applica- 
tion again,  and  whether  liis  application  should  be  made 
by  simply  presenting  himself  to  the  Lodge  as  an  Appren- 
tice or  Fellow-Craft,  well  skilled  and  proficient  in  all  the 
work  and  learning  of  his  degree,  and  again  asking  simply 
to  be  advanced  ;  or,  whether  his  petition  must  be  pre- 
sented totlie  Lodtz;e  in  form,  and  must  take  tiie  course  of 


CALIFORNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  113 

other  petitions  for  degrees  or  membership.  In  the  case 
presented,  I  decided  that  the  objection  sustained  was  in 
effect  a  rejection  for  the  remaining  degrees  ;  that  the 
party  so  rejected  must  wait  twelve  months,  and  then,  if 
he  desired  to  proceed,  he  must  petition  his  Lodge  ancAv  ; 
and  that  his  petition  must  take  the  usual  course.  In  any 
view  of  the  case  he  was  entitled  to  that,  if  no  more. — 
Decision  of  Grand  Master  Belcher,  p.  13,  1865. 

Your  committee  recommend  the  approval  of  the  decis- 
ion— that  the  candidate  may  apply  to  that  Lodge,  or  any 
other  within  whose  jurisdiction  he  may  be,  at  the  expira- 
tion of  twelve  months,  as  though  he  had  been  rejected 
by  ballot. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  99,  1865. 

See  Balloting,  p.  99. 

Powers  and  Duties  of  Masters  of  Lodges,  p.  95. 
Withdrawing  Petition  before  Ballot,  p.  101. 
Sec.  1,  Art.  I,  Pai"t  II,  Constitution. 


MEMBERSHIP. 


See  Affiliation,  p.  114, 
Residence,  p.  116. 
Art.  1,  Part  V,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  -1. 


HONORARY  MEMBERSHIP. 

A  Subordinate  Lodge  may,  for  good  reasons  of  its  own, 
release  a  member  from  the  requirements  which  impose 
upon  him  active  duties  and  relieve  him  from  contribu- 
tions— say  for  such  reasons  as  the  Virginia  Committee 
give ;  but  it  can  not  relieve  itself  from  its  own  responsi- 
bility, assumed  in  bearing  his  name  on  the  roll.  The 
Lodge  thus  expressing  toward  a  cherished  brother — its 
member — the  estimation  in  which  he  is  held,  may  call 
15 


114  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

that  act  by  any  name  it  may  select,  whether  honorary  or 
not,  but  your  committee  certainly  think  there  is  nothing 
in  this  jurisdiction  which  justifies  such  a  Masonic  title  ; 
and  we  do  not  know  outside  of  it  where  the  custom 
legitimately  originated,  nor  do  we  approve  of  it. — Com- 
mittee on  Jurisprudence,  p.  376,  1862. 


AFFILIATION. 

A  Mason  may  make  application  for  affiliation  as  often 
as  it  may  please  him  so  to  do.  The  rejection  of  his  peti- 
tion for  that  purpose  by  a  Lodge,  simply  impHes  that  that 
particular  Masonic  family,  or  some  one  or  more  of  its 
members,  has  objection  to  the  immediate  association :  but 
it  does  not  prevent  him  from  applying  for  membership 
to  any  other  Lodge,  or  to  the  same  one,  at  any  time 
thereafter. —  Grand  blaster  Curtis,  p.  381,  1860. 

See  Residence,  p.  116. 

Fees,  Dues,  and  Assessments,  p.  122. 

Withdrawing  Petition  before  r^allot.  p.  101. 

Sec.  2,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 

General  Regulation,  No.  4. 

General  Regulation,  No.  16.  , 


NON-AFFILIATED   MASONS. 

"  Regulation  16.  Non-affiliated  Masons,  wdio  are  sus- 
pended by  operation  of  Sec.  1,  Art.  II,  Part  V,  of  the 
Constitution,  if  they  desire  to  restore  themselves  by 
affilicdion,  shall  pay  a  sum  equivalent  to  six  months'  dues, 
in  addition  to  the  affiliation  fee  required  by  the  by-laws 
of  the  Lodge  to  which  they  may  apply  ;  or,  if  they  desire 
to  restore  themselves  by  contribution,  they  shall  pay  a 
sum  equivalent  to  the  amount  of  the  regular  dues  of  the 
Lodge  within  whose  jurisdiction  they  reside,  during  the 
whole  period  of  such  residence  :  unless  sickness  or  inabil- 


CALIFORNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  115 

ity  to  pay  be  shown  as  the  reason  for  such  non-affiliation 
or  non-payment." — p.  410,  1866. 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  question 
of  Bro.  Stanley  as  to  the  right  of  a  so-called  "  contribut- 
ing member"  to  vote  on  any  and  all  occasions,  report  that 
they  suppose  the  question  refers  to  those  Masons  who, 
though  non-affiliated,  are  nevertheless  willing  to,  and  do, 
contribute  a  sum  equal  to  the  monthly  dues  required  of 
the  members  of  the  Lodge  within  whose  jurisdiction 
they  reside,  and  thus  avoid  suspension  under  our  law. 
If  this  supposition  be  correct,  the  committee  are  at  a  loss 
to  know  how  it  could  be  imagined  that  one  so  situated 
was  entitled  to  a  vote  at  all ;  and  they  simply  have  to  say 
— what  there  should  be  little  need  of  saying — that  an  un- 
affiliated contributor  is  not  entitled  to  a  vote  on  any  occa- 
sion whatever. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  110, 1865. 

The  position  occupied  by  non-affiliated  Masons  in  this 
State  is  plainly  defined  in  the  Constitution.  In  Sec.  1, 
Art.  II,  Part  V,  of  that  instrument  it  is  declared,  that 
"it  is  the  duty  of  every  Master  Mason  to  be  a  member 
of  some  Lodge  ;  and  every  one  who,  having  resided  six 
months  within  the  jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge,  shall  refuse 
Or  neglect  to  make  application  so  to  be,  or  wdio  shall  not 
have  regularly  contributed  to  such  Lodge  an  amount 
equivalent  to  its  regular  dues,  while  able  so  to  do,  shall 
be  deemed  unworthy  of  Masonic  consideration,  and  shall 
not  be  entitled  to,  or  be  the  recipient  of,  any  of  the 
rights,  privileges,  or  charities  of  the  Order."  This  is 
literally  the  language  of  suspension  ;  and,  under  this  law, 
every  non-affiliated  Mason,  coming  within  its  purview,  is 
absolutel}^  suspended,  until  by  compliance  with  either  of 
the  alternatives  which  it  provides,  he  shall  choose  to  free 
himself  from  the  disability. — Decision  of  Grand  Master 
Curtis,  p.  381,  1860. 

See  Residence,  p.  116. 

General  Regulation,  No.  16. 


116  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 


RESIDENCE. 

It  is  not  necessary,  though  it  would  be  very  proper, 
that  every  Mason  should  apply  for  aihliation  to  the  Lodge 
nearest  his  place  of  residence.  It  is  the  right  of  a  Master 
Mason  to  affiliate  w^here  he  may  choose,  whether  at  the 
place  nearest  his  residence  or  not,  for  our  Constitution 
evidently  conveys  this  meaning  in  the  words  :  "  It  is  the 
duty  of  every  Master  Mason  to  be  a  member  of  some 
Lodge. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  368,  1862. 

.  It  is  not  necessary  that  a  Mason  should  be  a  member 
of  the  Lodge  nearest  his  place  of  residence.  He  may 
hold  membership,  or  apply  for  it,  wherever  it  shall  please 
him.  It  is  certainly  better  that  he  should  be  a  member 
of  the  Lodge  within  whose  jurisdiction  he  resides,  but  I 
know  of  no  law  which  requires  it ;  and  to  be  a  mem- 
ber, in  good  standing,  in  any  regular  Lodge,  is  to  be  in 
good  standing  everywhere. — Decision  by  Grand  blaster 
N.  Greene  Curtis,  p.  381,  1860. 

,S'ee  Sec.  2,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 


DEMISSION. 

That  when  a  member  of  a  Lodge  has  paid  his  dues, 
and  at  a  stated  meeting  announced  his  intention  to  with- 
draw his  membership,  his  membership  ceases  ;  and  he 
can  become  a  member  of  that  Lodge  only  by  petition 
and  ballot,  as  in  the  case  of  any  other  non-affiliated 
Mason.  It  is  not  competent  for  the  Lodge  by  vote  to 
reinstate  him. —  Grand  Master  Belcher,  p.  251,  1864. 

The  Grand  Master,  in  his  Address,  lays  before  the 
Grand  Lodge  the  following  decision  on  a  point  of  Masonic 
law  : 

"When  a  member  of  a  Lodge  has  paid  his  dues,  and. 


CALIFORNIA  MASONIC    CODE.  117 

at  a  stated  meeting,  announces  his  intention  to  withdraw 
from  membership,  his  membership  ceases,  and  he  can 
become  a  member  again  only  by  petition  and  ballot  as 
any  other  non-affiliated  Mason.  It  is  not  competent  for 
his  Lodge  by  vote  to  reinstate  him." 

The  said  decision  was  referred,  among  other  things,  to 
the  Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  who  have  considered 
the  same  and  now  report  a  recommendation  that  the 
decision  of  the  Grand  Master  be  approved. — Committee 
on  Jurisprudence,  p.  354,  1864. 

"  The  Master,  or  any  other  officer  of  a  Lodge,  may 
withdraw  therefrom  in  the  same  manner  as  any  other 
member.  Whatever  may  be  the  rule  elsewhere,  our  law 
makes  no  distinction." — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p. 
365,  1864. 

^'ee  Sec.  i,  Art.  I,  Part  V,  Constitution. 


RIGHT   OF   VISIT. 

"A  difference  of  opinion  exists  as  to  the  proper  con- 
struction of  our  fourth  General  Regulation,  and,  that  its 
true  intent  may  be  defined,  the  following  is  submitted  : 
A.  B.  has  resided  in  this  State  several  years.  A  httle 
less  than  a  year  ago  he  visited  his  former  home  in  Maine, 
and  while  there  received  the  degrees  of  Masonry.  Upon 
his  return  to  California  he  proposed  to  visit  a  Lodge, 
but  the  Master  refused  to  admit  him.  He  afterwards 
offered  to  visit  another  Lodge,  and  w^as  admitted.  On 
again  applying  to  visit  the  first-named  Lodge,  should  the 
Master  admit  him  upon  the  avouchment  of  a  brother  who 
had  sat  with  him  in  a  regular  Lodge  ?  Which  Master  was 
right  —  the  one  who  refused,  or  the  one  who  permitted 
his  admission  ?  Would  it  affect  the  case  if  the  applicant 
stated  that  when  he  left  this  State  he  had  no  intention 
to  return,  but  afterward  changed  his  mind  ?     Should  he 


118  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

apply  for  affiliation,  the  regulation  is  sufficiently  clear; 
but  does  it  deny  him  the  right  to  visit  ?  " 

The  regulation  referred  to  has  no  application  to  the 
right  of  visit.  That  right,  so  called,  is  not,  as  is  gener- 
ally supposed,  absolute  and  indefeasible.  The  Master  of 
a  Lodge  is  under  obligation  to  preserve  harmony  among 
his  craftsmen.  He  represents  the  wise  Master-builder 
who  laid  the  foundations  of  our  speculative  science,  and 
he  must  see  that  the  guards  and  defenses  of  his  Lodge 
are  of  such  character  that  nothing  be  suffered  to  pass  or 
repass  them  that  might  tend  to  disturb  the  peace  of  his 
Avorkmen.  To  this  end  he  must  be  clothed  with  author- 
ity to  say  who,  of  those  hailing  from  other  Lodges,  shall 
visit  his.  In  regard  to  the  brother  whose  case  is  men- 
tioned in  the  question  under  consideration,  we  think  the 
fact  of  his  intention  to  remain  permanently  out  of  the 
State  does  affect  the  action  of  the  regulation.  Prima 
facie  an  offense  may  have  been  committed,  but  often  an 
apparent  wrong  ceases  to  be  rightly  so  considered  when 
the  intention  is  taken  into  account.  It  may  well  occur 
that  one,  for  several  years  a  resident  of  this  State,  may 
return  to  the  home  of  his  youth,  intending  to  reside  per- 
manently among  the  associations  of  his  earlier  days  ;  but, 
finding  that  the  attachments  formed  in  the  new  home  are 
stronger  than  those  severed  in  the  past,  determines  to 
return  there,  ere  they  too,  like  the  old  ones,  shall  have 
become  strange  by  long  absence.  If  then,  having  in 
good  faith  intended  to  change  his  place  of  residence,  he 
become  a  member  of  the  Fraternity  abroad,  the  regula- 
tion of  this  State  should  not  operate  against  him  upon 
his  return.  While  w^e  tenaciously  adhere  to  and  insist 
u])on  our  jurisdictional  rights,  we  should  not  enforce  the 
regulation  referred  to,  unless  the  violation  of  those  rights 
is  clear  and  pointed.  Nothing  is  to  be  gained  by  a  too 
strenuous  and  rigid  interpretation  of  the  law. 

We   conclude,  then,  that  if  the   brother's  purpose  in 
going  to  the  Eastern  States  was  to  reside  permanently 


CALIFOENIA   MASONIC    CODE.  119 

and  become  a  citizen,  his  simple  change  of  purpose  and 
return  to  this  State  within  some  short  time,  will  not 
of  itself  bring  him  within  the  regulation  of  this  Grand 
Lodge.  We  further  conclude  that,  as  the  regulation 
does  not  apply  to  the  matter  of  visit,  and  as  the  Master 
has  control  thereof,  both  Masters — the  one  who  refused, 
and  the  one  who  permitted — were  within  the  purview  of 
their  powers. — Committee  on  Juris'prudence,  p.  433,  1866. 

It  appears  that  Alphonse  Dennery,  a  native  of  France, 
but  a  resident  of  this  jurisdiction,  returned  to  his  native 
country,  and  while  there,  received  the  degrees  of  Ma- 
sonry. He  took  his  dimit  and  returned  to  this  State, 
where  he  now  seeks  to  affiliate,  and  the  questions  are 
asked  :  "  Can  he  be  affiliated  ?  "  and  "  Can  he  visit  ?  " 

Under  the  fourth  of  our  General  Regulations  he  may 
affiliate,  by  paying  the  full  amount  charged  by  the  Lodge 
to  which  he  applies  for  conferring  the  degrees,  less  the 
sum  paid  for  them  to  the  Lodge  in  which  he  received 
them. 

We  do  not  think  he  can  visit  until  he  has  complied 
with  the  foregoing  regulation,  or  has  endeavored  to  do  so 
in  good  faith. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  349,  1864. 

Set  Sec.  13,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution.. 


CHARITABLE  RELIEF. 

Your  committee  are  aware  that  Masonic  authorities 
are  somewhat  contradictory  upon  this  point ;  but,  upon  a 
full  consideration  of  the  subject,  they  are  of  opinion  that 
it  would  be  an  unfortunate  proposition  to  establish,  that 
a  Masonic  Lodge,  devoted,  as  it  should  be,  to  charitable 
objects  and  the  assistance  of  the  distressed,  could  with 
impunity  suffer  its  members  to  want  for  the  necessaries 
of  life,  and  thus  bring  discredit  upon  the  whole  Frater- 
nity.— Committee  on  Grievances,  p.  374,  1864. 


120  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Believing  that,  aside  from  actual  necessary  expenses, 
all  the  funds  of  a  Lodge  should  be  devoted  to  charitable 
uses. — Committee  on  By-Laivs,  p.  90,  1863. 


MASONIC   FUNERALS  AND  EXPENSES. 

If  a  Mason  forget  his  duty  to  God,  his  fellow,  and  him- 
self, and  commit  suicide,  shall  he  or  may  he  be  buried  by 
his  Lodge  wdth  Masonic  honors?  Several  cases  have  oc- 
curred, as  I  am  informed,  in  which  suicides  have  been  so 
buried.  It  should  not  always  be  so.  When  a  Mason  has 
unfortunately  been  deprived  of  that  reason  which  God 
has  given  him  to  enable  him  to  distinguish  between  right 
and  wrong,  and,  being  actually  demented,  deprives  him- 
self of  life,  I  see  no  reason  why  he  should  not  be  interred 
with  the  usual  Masonic  honors  and  ceremonials.  An  in- 
sane man  cannot  commit  a  crime,  and  it  would  be  an  utter 
forgetfulness  of  that  charity  which  is  the  brightest  jewel 
of  the  Craft,  to  refuse  the  Masonic  rite  of  burial,  when  de- 
sired by  his  relatives  or  friends,  to  one  who  had  only  been 
unfortunate.  Not  so,  however,  with  one  who  wittingly, 
or  in  consequence  of  intemperate  habits,  destroys  the  life 
which  Heaven  has  given  him  for  useful  and  beneficent 
purposes.  We  would  throw  the  mantle  of  charity  over  the 
faults  of  an  erring  brother,  dead  or  living,  but  we  should 
not  lightly  overlook  his  crimes.  By  all  law,  human  and 
divine,  he  who  takes  his  own  life  is  as  guilty  as  he  Avho 
takes  the  life  of  another.  Before  God  and  man  he  is 
guilty,  and  it  is  not  fitting  that  we,  as  a  society,  should 
hold  ourselves  out  to  the  world  as  the  excusers  of  sucli 
crime. —  Grand  Master  Belcher,  p.  252,  1864. 

In  the  matter  of  the  burial,  with  Masonic  honors,  of 
Masons  who  commit  suicide,  referred  to  in  the  xVddress 
of  the  Grand  Master,  the  Committee  on  Jurisprudence 
report  as  follows  : 


CALIFOENIA   MASONIC    CODE.  121 

It  is  difficult  to  conceive  that  any  man  in  his  right  mind 
could  be  guilty  of  destro3nng  his  own  life.  It  is  probably 
true  that  one  who  commits  suicide  has  previously  become, 
by  some  means,  demented.  Self-preservation  is  the  first 
law  of  nature.  A  very  high  authority  declares  that  "  no 
man  ever  yet  hated  his  own  flesh."  This  being  true,  a 
man  must  in  some  way  have  lost  the  right  use  of  his  men- 
tal powers  before  he  can  lift  a  hand  against  his  own  life. 
Reason  may  be  dethroned,  either  by  the  visitations  of 
God,  or  by  indulgence  in  hcentious  and  vicious  habits. 
If  the  hand  of  God  has  been  laid  upon  a  brother,  recall- 
ing the  reason  which  He  had  given,  and,  while  thus  de- 
mented, he  shall  take  his  life,  we  think  he  may  properly 
receive  the  honors  paid  by  our  Order  to  the  dead.  But 
if,  forgetting  the  first  perfect  point  of  his  entrance  and 
the  virtue  by  which  it  is  exemplified,  and  which  it  is 
designed  to  enforce  ;  if,  neglecting  his  solemn  obligations 
and  that  prudence  which  should  characterize  every 
brother  in  his  conduct  in  the  Lodge  and  when  abroad 
in  the  world,  he,  by  indulgence  in  drink  or  other  habits 
which  are  calculated  to  enervate  the  mind,  loses  his  rea- 
son, and,  while  tlius  out  of  his  mind,  destroys  his  own 
life,  we  think  he  is  not  entitled  to  and  should  not  receive 
the  burial  rites  of  the  Order. 

We  therefore  recommend  that  the  sentiments  of  the 
Grand  Master's  Address  on  this  subject  be  approved. — 
p.  338,  1864. 

It  is  asked  whether,  when  a  Mason  dies,  he  is  entitled 
to  Masonic  burial ;  and  if  so,  whether  a  single  individual 
must  bear  the  expense  ?  A  deceased  sojourning  brother, 
who  was  in  good  standing,  is  certainly  entitled  to  Masonic 
burial ;  and  if  an  individual  renders  that  last  service,  he 
may  well  ask  that  his  brethren  and  neighbors  help  him 
to  bear  the  burden,  if  so  it  appears  to  him  to  be.  But 
he  can  scarcely  demand  this  as  a  right.  He  has  done  his 
duty,  and  they  ought  to  be  willing  to  assist  him  ;  but 

16 


122  THE   CALIFOENIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

let  liim  not  detract  from  the  merit  of  liis  charity  by  his 
complainings.  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver. — Committee 
on  Jurisprudence,  p.  58,  1861. 

See  Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and  Restorations,  p.  131. 
General  Regulation,  No.  1. 


FEES,   DUES,   AND   ASSESSMENTS. 

Your  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  following 
question  :  ''  Has  the  M.'.W.-. Grand  Master  authority  to 
prevent  individual  Masons  or  Lodges  from  corresponding 
with  each  other  on  subjects  relating  to  the  levy  of  assess- 
ments upon  subordinate  Lodges  ?  "—have  had  the  same 
under  consideration,  and  are  of  the  opinion  that  the 
Grand  Master  has  no  authority  to  prevent  any  proper 
correspondence  on  such  subjects. — Special  Committee,  p. 
97,  1865. 

Your  committee  are  of  opinion  that  during  the  period 
of  suspension  for  unmasonic  conduct,  the  dues  of  a 
brother  should  cease.  He  is  under  a  disabihty  from 
which  he  cannot,  of  his  own  will,  free  himself.  When 
suspended  simply  for  non-payment  of  dues,  he  is  in  a 
position  from  which  he  may,  by  his  own  act,  at  any  time 
relieve  himself,  and  he  should  pay  his  dues  accordingly. 
But  while  he  is  under  suspension  for  unmasonic  conduct, 
he  is  cut  off  entirely  from  all  privileges,  and  can  only  be 
restored  by  an  act  of  his  Lodge,  or  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
They  answer,  then,  that  a  Mason,  suspended  for  non- 
payment of  dues,  and  subsequently  suspended  for  unma- 
sonic conduct,  should  be  charged  dues  only  during  the 
period  when  he  was  under  suspension  for  non-payment 
thereof. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  100,  1865. 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  inquiry  as 
to  what  is  required  in  a  notice  to  those  in  arrears  for 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  123 

dues,  report  that  tlie  question  involves  the  construction 
of  the  language  of  Sec.  9,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  of  the  Con- 
stitution. The  wording  of  the  law  is  such  as  evidently 
to  make  it  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  give  the  notice, 
without  any  order  from  the  Master  or  the  Lodge  to  that 
effect ;  and  by  the  fourth  subdivision  of  Sec.  1,  Art.  Y, 
Part  lY,  of  the  Constitution,  he  is  required  to  affix  the 
seal  of  the  Lodge  to  all  papers  issued  by  authority  of 
the  Lodge,  or  in  obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the 
Constitution  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The 
notice  to  members  in  arrears  for  dues,  is  made  in  obe- 
dience to  the  Constitution,  and  must  have  the  seal  of  the 
Lodge  Sitta.ch.ed.— Committee  on  Ju7'isprudence,  p.  110, 1865. 

In  reply  to  Bro.  Blake,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  commit- 
tee that  it  is  not  necessary  or  right  to  require  a  member 
who  withdraws,  and  afterward  desires  to  affiliate  again 
Avith  the  same  Lodge,  to  pay  dues  during  the  time  he 
was  not  a  member,  in  order  to  affiUate. — Committee  on 
Jurisprudence ^  p.  368,  1862. 

See,  Affiliation,  p.  114. 

Non-affiliated  Masons,  p.  114. 

Suspension  for  Non-payment  of  Dues.  p.  123. 

Representative  Fund.  p.  137. 

Art.  VIII,  Part  I.  Constitution. 

General  Regulation,  No.  16. 


SUSPENSION   FOR  NON-PAYMENT   OF  DUES. 

"Has  a  subordinate  Lodge  the  right,  under  Sec.  9, 
Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  of  the  Constitution,  to  restore  a  Mason 
laboring  under  suspension  for  non-payment  of  dues,  in 
any  other  manner  than  that  provided  for  in  the  funda- 
mental law — that  is,  by  papng  all  arrearages  due — in 
other  words,  can  a  Lodge  remit  dues  until  a  brother  is 
restored  ?  " — beg  leave  to  report  as  follows  : 

The  proposition  is  susceptible  of  division  into  two 


124:  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

branches — the  question  of  obedience  to  laws,  and  the 
question  of  construction  of  law^s.  In  answer  to  the  first, 
it  is  the  opinion  of  the  committee  that  a  subordinate 
Lodge  can  do  nothing  rightfully,  either  in  respect  to  the 
restoration  of  a  Mason  laboring  under  suspension  for  non- 
payment of  dues,  or  any  other  matter,  in  any  way  other 
than  that  provided  in  the  fundamental  law.  In  answer 
to  the  second,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  committee  that  the 
fundamental  laws  of  Masonry  respecting  its  morality 
should  be  construed  strictly,  but  always  with  charity  ; 
in  respect  to  its  government,  with  liberality,  and  in  the 
true  spirit  of  the  enactments  and  customs.  To  say  that 
a  Lodge  cannot  remit  a  portion  or  all  of  the  arrearages, 
for  good  and  satisfactory  reasons,  of  a  member  suspended 
for  non-payment  of  dues,  in  order  that  he  may  be  restored, 
appears  to  us  like  the  construction  which  Shylock  would 
have  put  upon  his  bond.  We  do  not  believe  that  such 
a  spirit  did  or  could  exist  in  the  Masonic  mind  of  the 
framers  of  our  fundamental  law  ;  and  we  are  therefore  of 
the  opinion  that  a  subordinate  Lodge,  for  good  cause,  in 
the  exercise  of  a  discreet  judgment,  under  the  section 
referred  to,  may  remit  dues  in  favor  of  a  member  sus- 
pended for  non-payment  of  dues,  in  order  to  restore  him. 
—Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  356,  1862. 

Suspension  for  non-payment  of  dues  is  absolute  fius- 
pension.  The  disabilities  which  it  involves  under  our 
laws,  are  the  same  as  if  tlie  penalty  had  been  incurred 
by  unmasonic  conduct.  In  fact,  such  is  really  the  mis- 
demeanor which  has  induced  the  punishment,  as  a  viola- 
tion of  the  by-law^s  of  a  Lodge  (all  which  require  the  pay- 
ment of  certain  quarterly  or  monthly  dues),  is  eminently 
unmasonic.  The  only  difference  which  our  Constitu- 
tion makes  between  suspension  for  (so-called)  unmasonic 
conduct,  and  suspension  for  non-payment  of  dues,  is,  that 
in  the  first  case,  it  requires  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of  the 
Lodge  of  which  the  delinquent  was  a  member,  to  effect 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  125 

his  restoration,  while  in  the  second,  he  may  restore  him- 
self by  payment  of  his  arrearages. —  Grand  Master  Curtis, 
p.  38i,  18G0. 

See  Non-affiliated  Masons,  p.  114. 

Fees,  Dues,  and  Assessments,  p.  122. 
Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and  Restorations,  p.  131. 
Sec.  9,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 
Sec.  4,  Art.  II,  Part  V,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  11. 


DROPPING  NAMES   FROM  THE    ROLL. 

The  object  of  the  12th  Regulation  was  not  to  alter  the 
status  in  a  Lodge  of  persons  who  had  been  initiated  or 
passed,  but  simply  to  prevent  cumbering  the  rolls  annu- 
ally returned  to  the  Grand  Lo'dge  with  the  names  of 
those  who,  for  two  years  or  more,  had  remained  Entered 
Apprentices  or  Fellow-Crafts. — Committee  on  Jurispru- 
dence, pp.  385-6,  1862. 

Resolved,  That  the  names  of  Entered  Apprentices  and 
Fellow-Crafts  shall  be  returned  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for 
tw^o  years  only,  and  be  thereafter  dropped  from  the  roll. 
—  Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  369,  1860. 

.See  Admission  and  Advancement  of  Candidates,  p.  106. 
General  Regulation,  No.  12. 


NOTIFICATIONS  AND   SUMMONSES. 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  inquiry  as 
to  what  is  required  in  a  notice  to  those  in  arrears  for 
dues,  report  that  the  question  involves  the  construction 
of  the  language  of  Sec.  9,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  of  the  Con- 
stitution. The  wording  of  the  law  is  such  as  evidently 
to  make  it  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to  give  the  notice, 
without  any  order  from  the  Master  or  the  Lodge  to  that 


126  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

effect ;  and  by  tlie  fourth  subdivision  of  Sec.  1,  Art.  V, 
Part  IV,  of  the  Constitution,  he  is  required  to  affix  the 
seal  of  the  Lodge  to  all  papers  issued  by  authority  of  the 
Lodge,  or  in  obedience  to  the  requirements  of  the  Con- 
stitution and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  The  no- 
tice to  members  in  arrears  for  dues,  is  made  in  obedience 
to  the  Constitution,  and  must  have  the  seal  of  the  Lodge 
attached. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  110,  1865. 

Your  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  resolution 
offered  by  Bro.  Alex.  G.  Abell,  defining  what  shall  be 
deemed  due  notification  in  cities  and  towns  where  daily 
newspapers  are  printed,  have  given  the  same  careful 
consideration,  and  respectfully  report  that,  in  their  judg- 
ment, the  trial  of  a  brother  upon  charges  for  unmasonic 
conduct  is  a  matter  of  such  serious  moment  to  the  Craft 
that  every  thing  connected  with  it  should  be  done 
"  decently  and  in  order,"  and  that  every  member  of  the 
Lodge  should  be  in  fact  notified  of  the  time  when  the 
Commissioners  are  to  be  elected.  There  is  no  necessity 
for  haste  in  such  a  matter,  and  it  is  better  that  one  who 
is  unjustly  accused  should  suffer  somewhat  from  the  law's 
delay  than  that  we  should  seem  to  treat  the  matter  of 
trials  lightly,  or  neglect  any  precaution  necessary  to  en- 
sure to  every  brother  an  opportunity  to  be  present  upon 
an  occasion  of  so  much  importance. 

In  cities  and  large  towns,  although  the  membership  of 
the  Lodges  may  be  extensive,  yet  all  reside  within  a 
convenient  distance.  One  of  the  duties  of  the  Tyler  of 
a  Lodge  is  to  serve  notices,  as  it  is  one  of  the  duties  of 
the  Secretary  to  prepare  them  ;  and  your  committee 
deem  it  much  more  important  that  every  member  of  the 
Lodge  should  be  personally  notified,  than  that  the  Secre- 
tary and  Tyler,  who,  alone  of  the  officers,  receive  com- 
pensation for  their  services,  should  be  saved  a  little 
labor.  It  is  true,  probably,  that  a  notification  published 
in  one  or  more  daily  papers  of  San  Francisco,  or  any 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  127 

other  city,  would  be  a  notification  in  foct  to  a  consider- 
able number  of  the  members  of  any  Lodge  there  ;  but  it 
is  also  true  that  not  every  man  who  reads  the  papers 
reads  the  general  advertisements,  or  even  the  special 
notices,  and  that,  at  least,  some  of  the  members  would 
thus  fail  to  be  notified.  It  is  the  right  of  the  accused, 
and  the  duty  of  the  Lodge,  to  have  every  thing  connected 
with  the  trial  conducted  in  such  manner  as  will  best 
insure  a  fair  and  impartial  result :  and  in  order  to  secure 
this,  the  most  important  step  is  the  election  of  Commis- 
sioners. 

Your  committee  think  that  every  member  of  the 
Lodge  should  at  least  have  an  opportunity  to  partici- 
pate in  such  election ;  and,  being  of  the  opinion  that  a 
notification  by  advertisement,  in  the  manner  proposed 
in  the  resolution  referred  to  them,  would  not  be  the  best 
method  of  insuring  that  desirable  result,  they  return 
the  resolution  with  the  recommendation  that  it  be  not 
adopted. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  57,  1861. 

The  Constitution  of  this  Grand  Lodge  provides  that, 
upon  the  presentation  of  charges,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  Master,  "  hij  due  notification,''^  to  call  a  special  meet- 
ing of  his  Lodge  for  the  election  of  Commissioners.  A 
"  notification  "  is  defined  by  the  Constitution  to  be  "  a  call 
issued  by  the  Secretary,  by  order  of  the  Lodge  or  Mas- 
ter, or  by  other  competent  authority,  as  hereinbefore 
provided,  to  attend  for  some  specific  purpose  at  the  time 
and  place  therein  indicated."  We  find  that  a  ^^  summoois'^ 
is  defined  by  the  Constitution  to  be  "  an  imperative  order 
issued  by  the  Master  or  by  other  competent  authority, 
as  hereinbefore  provided,  to  appear  at  such  time  and 
place  as  may  therein  be  designated."  Stripping  these 
two  definitions  of  all  verbiage  unnecessary  to  a  determi- 
nation of  the  point  now  under  consideration,  we  find 
that  a  notification  is  "  a  call  issued  by  the  Secretary  to 
attend  at  the  time  and  place  therein  indicated  ; "  while 


128  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

a  summons  is  "  an  imperative  order  issued  by  the  Master 
to  appear  at  said  time  and  place,  as  may  therein  be  des- 
ignated." Nothing  whatever  is  said  as  to  the  mode  of 
service  of  either,  but  as  the  definition  of  the  two  are 
so  very  similar,  varying  only  sufficiently  to  indicate  to 
the  brethren  served  the  difference  between  the  two,  we 
think  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  a  notification  and  a 
summons  should  be  served  in  a  similar  manner  ;  for  if 
this  was  not  intended,  or  if  any  mode  of  notification 
could  be  adopted  which  a  Lodge  might  see  proper  to 
select,  why  did  this  Grand  Lodge  define  what  a  notifica- 
tion is  ?  We  are  therefore  of  the  opinion  that  a  notifica- 
tion should  be  served  in  the  same  manner  as  a  summons. 
Now,  would  any  one  suppose  for  a  moment,  that  the 
announcement  of  the  Master  at  a  stated  meeting,  that  all 
the  members  of  the  Lodge  were  summoned  to  appear  at 
a  certain  time,  would  be  a  service  of  the  summons  upon 
all  the  members  of  the  Lodge,  or  would  the  publication 
of  a  summons  in  the  newspapers  be  so  regarded  ?  Un- 
questionably not.  How  then  could  such  announcement 
or  publication  be  considered  due  notification  ?  In  the 
opinion  of  your  committee  it  cannot  be,  as  this  Grand 
Lodge  has  decided  that  in  a  case  of  charges  preferred,  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  Master  to  see  that  every  member  of  his 
Lodge,  who  can  possibly  be  notified  of  the  meeting,  is  no- 
tified in  due  ^q-a^ow— Committer  on  Grievances,  p.  364, 1860. 

See  Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and  Restorations,  p.  131. 
Fees,  Dues,  and  Assessments,  p.  122. 
Part  VI.  Constitution. 
Art.  II,  Part  VII.  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  7. 


WITNESSES,   TESTIMONY,   AND   TRIALS. 

Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Grand  Lodge, 
the  language  of  Sec.  3,  Art.  IV,  Part  IV,  of  the  Consti- 
tution, should  not  be  so   construed  as  to  prevent  the 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  129 

accuser,  any  more  than  the  accused,  from  employing  a 
brother  m  good  standing  to  assist  him  at  a  trial. — p.  111. 
1861. 

See  p.  87,  1863,  Relative  to  Trlvls,  ex  parte. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Grievances  prepare 
a  form  of  transcript  of  proceedings  on  trial  in  subordi- 
nate Lodges,  and  forward  the  same,  when  prepared,  to 
the  Grand  Secretary,  who  shall  cause  the  same  to  be 
printed  and  distributed  to  the  various  Lodges  ;  and  that 
said  Lodges  be  and  they  are  hereby  required,  as  far  as 
possible,  to  adhere  to  said  form  in  returning  the  record 
of  proceedings  on  trials. — p.  108,  1863. 

In  response  to  Bro.  Wiggin,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the 
committee,  that  it  certainly  is  the  right  of  a  brother 
upon  trial  for  unmasonic  conduct,  to  make  a  statement 
before  the  Commission  assembled  to  try  him ;  and  that 
such  statement  should  have  its  weight  before  the  Com- 
mission— though  not  as  great  as  that  of  a  disinterested 
brother — and  should  form  part  of  the  record.  The  con- 
stitutional words  requiring  the  Master  to  "  summon  the 
accused  to  appear  and  aiisiver,'^  should  be  construed  dif- 
ferently in  Masonry  from  what  it  is  in  the  civil  courts,  for 
Masonic  law  should  receive  a  more  liberal  construction. 
— Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  367,  1862. 

A  Fellow-Craft  was  admitted  to  testify  upon  his  honor 
as  a  Mason  ;  this  was  wrong,  as  none  but  Master  Masons 
should  be  permitted  so  to  testify — all  others  should  be 
sworn. — Committee  on  Grievances,  p.  364,  1860. 

In  cases  of  trial,  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners, 
elected  or  appointed,  may  proceed  with  the  business 
committed  to  them.  The  Constitution  does  not  say  thus 
much  in  terms,  but  it  does  by  inference,  as  it  declares 
that  "  the  judgment  of  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners 
shall  be  taken  as  the  decision  of  the  whole."     To  rule 

17 


130  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OP   MASONIC    LAW. 

otherwise  would  be  to  defeat  the  justice  sought  for  in 
the  reguUitions  upon  this  subject,  as  it  would  probably 
not  often  happen  that  all  the  Commissioners  named 
would  be  in  attendance  during  the  whole  period  given 
for  a  trial  under  our  Constitution.  The  vote  upon  the 
finding  and  the  sentence  should  be  by  ballot,  and  a 
majority  of  all  the  Commissioners  is  requisite  for  judg- 
ment.— Decision  of  Grand  blaster  Curtis,  p.  381,  1860. 

See  Commissioners  and  their  Reports,  p.  130. 

Admission  and  Advancement  of  Candidates,  p.  106. 

Appeals,  p.  130. 

Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and  Restorations,  p.  131. 

Notifications  and  Summonses,  p.  125. 

Part  VI,  Constitution. 


APPEALS. 

In  the  matter  as  to  who  may  take  an  appeal  from  the 
judgment  of  a  Commission  for  trial,  they  are  of  opinion 
that  the  language  of  the  law  excludes  every  one  save 
the  accuser  and  the  accused.  By  operation  of  law  the 
judgment  of  a  majority  of  the  Commissioners  becomes 
the  judgment  of  the  Lodge  ;  and  it  was  never  yet  heard 
that  a  court  rendering  judgment  in  a  case  might  turn 
about  and  appeal  to  a  higher  court,  from  its  own  judg- 
ment. They  recommend  the  approval  of  the  action  of 
the  Grand  Master  in  ordering  the  judgment  in  the  case 
to  which  he  refers  to  be  oarried  into  effect. — Committee 
on  Jurisprtidence,  p.  99,  1865. 

See  Powers  of  a  Grand  Master,  p.  95. 
Part  VI,  Constitution. 


COMMISSIONERS  AND  THEIR  REPORTS. 

Your  committee  having  considered  the  question  pre- 
sented by  Bro.  Crane,  respectfully  report  that  the  law 


CALIFOENIA   MASONIC    CODE.  131 

to  which  reference  is  made  in  the  question,  requires  the 
Secretary  "  to  keep  a  full  and  correct  record  of  the  pro- 
ceedings and  the  judgment "  of  the  Commissions  for  trial, 
and  that  this  requirement  can  only  be  met  by  his  keep- 
ing a  record  of  all  the  testimony  in  the  case  ;  not  a  mere 
abstract,  but  the  testimony  of  each  witness  in  full,  so 
that  if  appeal  be  had  to  this  Grand  Body,  its  committees 
may  have  the  whole  case  before  them.  Witnesses,  not 
Masons,  testify  before  the  Commission  in  the  form  of 
deposition,  taken  before  some  officer  entitled  to  adminis- 
ter oaths  ;  and  in  order  that  the  witnesses  who  are  Ma- 
sons may  stand  on  the  same  footing,  their  testimony  must 
be  written  out  in  full  by  the  Secretary. — Committer  on 
Jurispriidence,  p.  109,  1865. 

"  In  cases  of  trial,  when  one  or  more  of  the  Commis- 
sioners is  absent,  can  a  quorum  proceed  to  the  trial  of 
the  case  and  render  judgment,  or  must  the  Master  ap- 
point to  fill  vacancies  ?  " 

It  has  been  more  than  once  decided  already,  that  a 
quorum  of  the  Commissioners  may  proceed  to  trial  and 
judgment,  but  that,  in  such  case,  the  judgment  must  be 
that  of  a  majority  of  all  the  Commissioners  elected,  to 
wit  :  if  the  number  of  the  Commissioners  be  seven,  four 
may  try  the  case — but  all  four  must  concur  in  the  judg- 
ment. No  power  is  anywhere  conferred  upon  the  Master 
to  appoint  members  to  fill  vacancies. — Committee  on  Juris- 
prudence, p.  110,  1865. 

See  Witnesses,  Testimony,  and  Trials,  p.  128. 
Part  VI,  Constitution. 


SUSPENSIONS,  EXPULSIONS,  AND  RESTORATIONS. 

Besolved,  That  whenever  it  is  the  intention  of  a  person, 
who  has  been  expelled  from  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
Masonry,  to  petition  the  Grand  Lodge  for  restoration,  it 


132  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

shall  be  his  duty  to  notify  the  Lodge  Avhich  expelled  him 
of  such  intention,  at  least  sixty  da^^s  before  the  meeting 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  accompanying  said  notice  with  a 
copy  of  his  intended  petition  ;  and  before  said  petition 
shall  be  considered  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  proof  shall  be 
made  of  the  giving  of  said  notice. —  General  Regulation, 
No.  20,  p.  419,  1866. 

Your  committee  are  aware  that,  in  reporting  in  favor 
of  restoring  the  memorialist,  they  may  appear  to  be 
somewhat  running  counter  to  the  wishes  of  the  subordi- 
nate Lodge  to  which  the  memorialist  belongs,  inasmuch 
as  an  application  to  restore  him  has  there  been  refused, 
but  they  can  well  imagine  how  the  Lodge  could  decline 
to  reverse  their  former  action  and  restore  the  applicant 
to  membership  therein,  when  they  might  not  materially 
object  to  his  restoration  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  which 
would  only  give  him  the  general  privileges  of  a  Mason. 
—  Cotnmittee  on  Grievances,  p.  93,  1865. 

In  the  matter  of  the  effect  of  a  reversal  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  a  judgment  of  suspension  or  expulsion,  your 
committee  agree  with  the  Grand  Master,  that  the  accused 
is  at  once  restored  to  the  standing  he  had  before  charges 
were  preferred.  If  this  be  not  so,  the  appeal  and  the 
iudgment  of  reversal  are  simply  solemn  farces.  The 
reversal,  in  terms,  declares  that  the  charges  were  untrue 
or  unsupported  by  evidence,  and  the  judgment  founded 
thereon  unwarranted,  and  of  course,  unjust.  Its  effect 
is  to  put  the  brother  appealing  in  precisely  the  position 
he  occupied  before  the  charges  were  preferred.  Bro. 
Mackoy,  on  this  point,  well  says  :  "  When  a  Lodge  has 
wrongfully  deprived  a  Mason  of  his  membership  by  ex- 
pulsion from  the  Order,  the  Grand  Lodge,  on  his  appeal, 
if  it  shall  find  the  party  innocent,  that  wrong  has  been 
inflicted,  that,  by  the  sentence,  the  laws  of  the  institu- 
tion as  well  as  the  rights  of  the  individual  have  been 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  133 

violated,  may,  on  his  appeal,  interpose  and  redress  the 
wrong,  not  only  by  restoring  him  to  his  rights  and  privi- 
leges as  a  Mason,  but  also  to  membership  in  the  Lodge. 
This,  it  seems  to  me,  is  the  true  principle,  not  only  of 
Masonic  law,  but  also  of  equity.  If  a  brother  be  inno- 
cent, he  must  be  restored  to  everything  of  which  an 
unjust  sentence  had  deprived  him — to  membership  in 
his  Lodge,  as  well  as  to  the  general  rights  of  Masonry." 
— Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  99,  1865. 

When  a  brother,  who  has  been  suspended  for  non- 
payment of  dues,  pays  up  all  his  arrearages,  he  thereby 
becomes  restored  to  all  the  former  privileges  enjoyed  by 
him  in  his  Lodge,  and  it  is  unnecessary  that  he  should 
again  go  through  the  form  of  signing  its  by-laws. — Com- 
mittee on  Grievances,  p.  373, 1864. 

Resolved,  That  when  it  is  the  intention  of  any  Lodge  to 
take  measures  to  apply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  the  res- 
toration of  a  Mason  who  has  been  expelled,  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  Master  thereof  to  notify  the  members  of 
his  Lodge,  as  far  as  possible,  of  the  time  when  such  pro- 
posed action  will  be  had  ;  and  to  cause  to  be  spread  upon 
the  minutes  of  the  meeting  at  which  such  action  shall  be 
had,  the  fact  that  such  notification  was  duly  given. — p. 
354,  1864. 

A  suspended  Mason,  dying  while  still  under  sentence 
of  suspension,  cannot  be  restored  by  any  action  subse- 
quent to  his  death. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  93, 
1863. 

Question  1st.— Can  a  Lodge  proceed  to  try  a  Master 
Mason,  under  suspension  for  non-payment  of  dues,  for 
unmasonic  conduct,  without  first  restoring  him  ? 

Ansioer. — It  can  ;  no  matter  Avhat  the  cause  of  suspen- 
sion may  have  been,  it  is  certainly  within  the  power  of  a 
Lodge,  having  jurisdiction,  to  try  a  suspended  Mason  on 


134  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

charges  of  further  unmasonic  conduct,  and  to  inflict  such 
farther  punishment  as  it  may  deem  proper. 

Question  2d. — Can  a  Lodge  proceed  to  try,  for  further 
unmasonic  conduct,  a  Mason  suspended  by  itself,  who, 
at  the  time  charges  are  preferred  against  him,  resides 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  another  Lodge,  although  the 
offenses  charged  were  committed  while  within  the  juris- 
diction of  the  Lodge  first  named  ? 

Answer. — It  can  not ;  the  proper  course  would  be  to 
prefer  the  charges  before  the  Lodge  within  whose  juris- 
diction the  delinquent  actually  resides,  by  which  he  can 
and  should  be  tried.  From  the  date  of  his  suspension, 
whatever  the  cause  thereof,  his  membership  in  that 
Lodge  ceases,  and  residence  elsewhere  carries  with  it 
jurisdiction. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  76,  1861. 

There  is  no  better  established  custom  in  the  Mason- 
ry of  the  United  States,  than  that  the  Lodge  (or  the 
Grand  Lodge  under  whose  jurisdiction  such  Lodge  ex- 
ists) which  expels  or  suspends  a  Mason,  should  alone 
have  the  right  to  restore  \nm..— Committee  on  Jurispru- 
dence, p.  373,  1860. 

See  Powers  and  Duties  of  Masters  of  Lodges,  p.  95. 
Suspension  for  Non-payment  of  Dues,  p.  123. 
By-laws,  p.  140. 
Non-affiliated  Masons,  p.  114. 
Fees,  Dues,  and  Assessments,  p.  122. 
Sec.  9.  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 
Sec.  4,  Art.  IV,  Part  III,  Constitution. 
Sec.  5,  Art.  II,  Part  V,  Constitution. 
Art.  II,  Part  VI,  Constitution. 
Art.  II,  Part  VII,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  1. 
General  Regulations,  Nos.  17,  19,  and  20. 


UNMASONIC   CONDUCT. 

Your  committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  appeal  of 
Bro from  the  action  of  St.  John's  Lodge,  No.  37, 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  135 

in  suspending  him  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
Masonry,  have  had  the  same  under  consideration,  and 
report  that  the  evidence  does  not  sustain  the  specifica- 
tion on  which  the  accused  was  found  guilty  and  sus- 
pended. Though  it  does  not  show  that  the  accused 
advised  the  candidate  to  withdraw  his  petition,  as  he 
was  sure  to  be  blackballed,  it  does  show  that  he  con- 
versed with  the  candidate  as  to  the  likelihood  of  his 
being  blackballed.  This  certainly  was  very  reprehensi- 
ble, and  had  the  specification  been  in  accordance  with 
the  facts,  a  little  wholesome  punishment  in  the  case 
might  have  proved  advantageous  to  the  Craft  generally, 
by  the  lesson  it  would  teach  of  the  necessity  of  abstain- 
ing from  all  conversation  with  •  a  candidate  as  to  the 
action  upon  his  petition. — Committee  on  Grievances,  p. 
102,  1865. 

The  brother  manifestly  labored  under  a  serious  error 
when  he  considered  that  gambling  was  not  a  Masonic 
offense.  A  very  slight  examination  of  the  ancient  regu- 
lations of  the  Order,  or  a  conversation  wdth  any  intelli- 
gent Mason,  would  have  apprised  him  that  this  offense 
is  one  strictly  forbidden  by  Masonry,  upon  all  moral  and 
social  grounds ;  and  is  an  evil  in  all  its  effects  and  conse- 
quences which  cannot  be  too  greatly  deprecated. — p.  348, 
1864. 

See  Witnesses.  Testimony,  and  Trials,  p.  128. 

Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and  Restorations,  p.  131. 


ORDINARY   DEBTS. 

Should  a  Lodge  entertain  charges  for  unmasonic  con- 
duct against  a  brother  because,  for  any  reason,  he  has 
neglected  or  refused  to  pay  his  debts,  or  has  paid  them 
in  the  depreciated  currency  of  the  country? 

My  own  opinion  has  always  been  that  the  Lodge  was 
not  the  proper  place  for  the  settlement  of  the  business 


136  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

difficulties  of  its  members,  or  the  enforcement  of  the 
payment  of  debts  ;  and  I  have  so  decided  in  the  cases 
presented.  The  civil  government  has  instituted  courts, 
and  appointed  judges,  and  authorized  juries,  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  determining  and  protecting  the  rights 
of  citizens,  and  enforcing  the  prooer  remedies  in  cases 
of  wrong.  If  I  owe  a  brother  a  debt  and  refuse  to  pay 
him,  he  may  ver}^  properly  invoke  the  aid  of  the  law  to 
compel  me  to  do  that  which  I  ought  to  have  done  with- 
out compulsion.  Exceptional  cases  may  occur,  involving 
such  breach  of  faith  and  turpitude  of  conduct  that  we 
ought  to  notice  them,  even  if  they  had  been  carried  by 
the  parties  to  the  proper  tribunals  for  adjudication ;  but 
they  are  the  exceptions,  not  the  rule.  Masons  should 
deal  honestly  with  one  another,  and  with  all  men,  and 
should  pay  all  they  owe  ;  but  it  does  not  always  follow 
that  any  special  moral  turpitude  attaches  to  them  because 
they  sometimes  fail  to  do  this  last ;  and,  however  much 
we  may  disapprove  the  act  of  one  who  avails  himself  of 
the  benefits  of  the  laws,  and  pays  debts,  perhaps  hon- 
estly due  in  gold,  in  legal  tenders,  I  think  we  may  prop- 
erly leave  the  aggrieved  party  to  charge  the  blame,  if 
any,  partly  upon  himself,  that  he  has  been  so  careless 
and  negligent  in  the  management  of  his  own  business. 
That  which  the  laws  of  the  land  sanction,  can  hardly  bo 
an  offense  against  any  law  of  Masonry. —  Grand  Master 
Belcher,  p.  251,  1864. 

In  reference  to  that  portion  of  the  Grand  Master's 
address  which  treats  of  the  question  whether  a  Masonic 
Lodge  is  a  proper  place  for  brethren  to  settle  their 
differences  in  business  transactions,  and  whether,  if  a 
brother  pays  debts  owing  to  another  brother,  in  the 
depreciated  currenc}^  of  the  country,  he  is  liable  to  a 
charge  for  unmasonic  conduct,  the  Committee  on  Juris- 
prudence report  as  follows  : 

This  is  one  of  those  questions  which  we  think  ought 


CALIFORNIA    MASONIC    CODE.  137 

to  be  determined  b}'  tbe  circumstances.  We  agree  witli 
the  Grand  IMaster,  that  tlie  courts  of  the  country  are 
established  for  tlie  purpose  of  setthng  differences  which 
may  arise  in  business  transactions  between  men.  A  man 
does  not  cease  to  be  a  citizen  Avhen  he  becomes  a  Mason. 
All  his  duties  and  rights  as  a  citizen  are  retained.  Ma- 
sonic Lodges  are  established  and  exist  for  other  and 
different  purposes,  and  were  we  to  open  the  door  of  the 
Lodo-e  and  invite  Masons  to  make  it  the  tribunal  before 
which  to  tr}"  their  business  disputes,  the  real  purposes 
of  the  fraternity  would  be  forever  rendered  impossible. 
It  is  true,  however,  that  circumstances  may  arise,  in  the 
course  of  transactions  between  Masons,  of  such  a  char- 
acter that  one  or  the  other  would  be  liable  to  a  charge 
for  violation  of  Masonic  obligations  ;  and  of  such  cir- 
cumstances and  their  bearing  upon  the  particular  case 
to  Avhich  they  are  sought  to  be  made  applicable,  the 
Commissioners  must  judge,  subject  to  the  revision  of 
this  Grand  Lodge  on  appeal.  It  is  impossible  to  estab- 
lish any  certain  rule.  We  have  seen  already,  in  the 
reports  of  the  Committee  on  Grievances,  that  cases  arise 
and  are  duly  tried,  in  which  the  proof  was  of  such  a 
nature  that  the  able  committee  who  considered  them 
found  no  violation  of  the  obligations  of  the  brother 
charged ;  and  yet,  we  apprehend  that  another  case 
might  arise  in  which  the  same  committee  would  feel 
themselves  constrained  to  afiirm  a  judgment  of  convic- 
tion. 

We  recommend  that  no  action  be  had  in  the  premises. 
— Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  349,  1864. 


REPRESENTATIVE   FUND. 

Resolved,  That,  for  the  ensuing  fiscal  year,  there  shall 
be  levied  upon  the  Lodges  under  this  jurisdiction,  in 
addition  to  the  dues  prescribed  by  the  Constitution,  the 
18 


138  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

sum  of  seventy-five  cents  for  each  member  borne  upon 
their  respective  rolls  at  the  date  of  their  annual  returns, 
for  account  of  the  Representative  Fund ;  which  assess- 
ment shall  be  paid  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same 
manner  as  is  prescribed  for  the  payment  of  the  regular 
annual  dues. — p.  382,  1864. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  year  ending  March  1,  1864, 
there  shall  be  levied  upon  the  subordinate  Lodges,  in 
addition  to  the  dues  prescribed  by  the  Constitution, 
tlie  sum  of  seventy-five  cents  for  each  member  borne 
upon  their  respective  rolls  at  the  date  of  their  annual 
returns— to  be  assessed  for  the  purpose  and  in  the  man- 
ner provided  in  certain  resolutions  relative  to  a  Repre- 
sentative Fund  adopted  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  May, 
1861,  the  same  being  in  lieu  of  one  dollar  fur  each  mem- 
ber, as  therein  directed. — p.  124,  1863. 

Resolved,  That,  in  addition  to  the  amount  at  present 
levied  upon  the  subordinate  Lodges,  there  be  levied  the 
sum  of  one  dollar  for  the  name  of  each  Master  Mason 
borne  upon  the  rolls  at  the  date  of  the  annual  returns, 
which  shall  constitute  a  special  fund  to  be  denominated 
"  The  Representative  Fund " ;  and  that  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  several  Lodges  to  pay  the  said  sum  at  the 
time  and  in  the  manner  prescribed  for  the  payment  of 
their  annual  dues. — pp.  51-2,  1861. 

See  General  Regulation,  No.  13. 


COMPENSATION  TO  GRAND  OFFICERS  AND  MEM- 
BERS OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE. 

Resolved,  That  hereafter  no  Grand  Ofiicer,  Chairman  of 
a  Standing  Connnittee,  or  Representative  of  a  Lodge, 
shall  receive  payment  for  his  necessary  traveling  ex- 
penses in  attending  a  Communication  of  a  Grand  Lodge, 


CALIFOENIA   MASONIC    CODE.  139 

Avho  shall  not  have  been  in  attendance  from  the  first  to 
the  last  day,  mclusive,  of  such  Communication,  unless 
excused  by  special  action  of  the  Grand  Lodge. — p.  382, 
1864. 

Besolved,  That  hereafter  the  appointed  Grand  Officers 
and  the  chairmen  of  the  several  Standing  Committees, 
shall  receive  payment  for  their  necessary  traveling  ex- 
penses to  and  from  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  in  the  same  manner  as  ordered  for  the  Represent- 
atives of  Lodges  ;  provided,  hoivever,  that  no  such  Offi- 
cer, Chairman,  or  Representative,  shall  receive  payment 
in  more  than  one  of  those  capacities  ;  and  provided,  fur- 
tlier,  that  no  such  Officer,  Chairman,  or  Representative 
shall  receive  any  pay  who  shall  already  have  been  paid 
for  such  necessary  traveling  expenses  by  another  Masonic 
Grand  Body. — Committee  on  Jurisprudence,  p.  125,  1863  : 
ordered  to  he  p)uhlislied  as  a  General  Regulation. 

See  Representatives  and  Delegates  of  Lodges,  p.  139. 
Sec.  1,  Art.  VI,  Part  II,  Constitution. 


REPRESENTATIVES  AND  DELEGATES  OF  LODGES. 

Besolved,  That,  at  each  Annual  Communication,  an  Au- 
diting Committee,  to  consist  of  three,  shall  be  appointed 
by  the  Grand  Master,  which  committee  shall  audit  all 
accounts  of  delegates  from  subordinate  Lodges,  for  their 
necessary  traveling  expenses  to  and  from  the  place  ot  the 
Annual  Communications  ;  and  shall  certify  the  amount 
due  each  delegate  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  who  shall 
thereupon  draw  his  warrant  upon  the  Grand  Treasurer 
for  the  amount  due  such  delegate.  The  warrant  shall 
specify  the  fund  from  which  the  money  is  drawn,  and  no 
warrant  shall  be  issued  to  more  than  one  delegate  from 
each  Lodge  ;  provided,  that  no  delegate  shall  receive 
such  payment  who  shall  not  have  remained  during  the 


140  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

entire  Communication,  unless  excused  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  and  whose  Lodge  shall  not  have  paid  its  dues  for 
the  current  year. — p.  52,  1861. 

See  Sec.  14,  Art.  Ill,  Part  III,  Constitution. 
Art.  VI.  Part  I,  Constitution. 
Art.  II,  Part  VII,  Constitution. 
General  Regulation,  No.  13. 


BY-LAWS. 

The  charge  that  the  brother  has  not  signed  the  by- 
laws is  one  that  ought  not  to  be  made  in  a  well  governed 
Lodge  now.  If  he  has  not  done  so,  he  has  certainly  neg- 
lected his  duty,  but  that  neglect  cannot  forfeit  his  mem- 
bership, any  more  than  would  the  neglect  or  violation  of 
any  other  provision  which  they  contain,  until  after  due 
trial  for  such  offense,  that  penalty  should  be  incurred  ; 
and  this  fact  shows  that  the  officers  have  been  careless 
in  the  discharge  of  their  duty,  and  that  the  brethren 
themselves  cannot  avoid  a  share  of  the  blame  which  at- 
taches in  this  case.  We  advise  the  Masters  of  Lodges 
who  have  not  attended  to  this  plain  duty,  to  look  well 
to  it. — Committee  on  Jicriqyrudence,  p.  377,  1862. 

See  Suspensions,  Expulsions,  and  Restorations,  p.  131. 
Sec.  5,  Art.  II,  Part  III,  Constitution. 


UNIFORM   CODE   OF  BY-LAWS. 

in  relation  to  that  portion  of  the  Annual  Report  of 
the  Grand  Secretary  concerning  the  by-laws  of  Lodges, 
which  was  referred  to  your  committee,  they  can  only 
echo  the  hope  expressed  by  him,  and  strongly  urge  all 
Lodges  in  this  jurisdiction  to  adopt  the  Uniform  Code  of 
By-laAvs,  not  only  because  they  have  been  very  carefully 
prepared  by  one  of  the  best  Masonic  jurist^  in  the  State, 


CALIFORNIA   MASONIC    CODE.  141 

and  contain,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  all  that  is 
required  for  the  proper  regulation  and  government  of  the 
Lodges,  but  because  it  is  most  desirable  that  in  this,  as  in 
all  other  respects,  there  should  be  uniformity  throughout 
the  jurisdiction. — Committee  on  Bij-laics,  p.  56,  1861. 

Resolved,  That  the  form  of  by-laws  for  the  government 
of  subordinate  Lodges,  as  now  revised  and  corrected  by 
the  special  committee,  be  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge  ; 
and  that  it  be  recommended  to  all  the  Lodges  within  the 
jurisdiction  for  their  adoption. — Committee  on  By-laws, 
p.  368,  186U. 


MASONIC  CLOTHING  AND  PROCESSIONS. 

On  no  occasion,  except  for  the  burial  of  a  brother,  is 
it  permitted  for  any  Lodge  or  number  of  Masons  to  ap- 
pear in  Masonic  clothing  in  public  procession,  without 
special  permission  from  the  Grand  Master  ;  and  that 
permission  ought  very  rarely  to  be  asked  or  granted. — 
Grand  Master  Belcher,  p.  16,  1865. 

The  sentiments  of  the  Grand  Master  in  regard  to  par- 
ticipating in  our  character  as  Masons,  in  public  celebra- 
tions not  of  a  Masonic  character,  are  heartih^  approved, 
—p.  85,  1865. 

On  occasions  of  festivity,  as  at  Masonic  balls,  it  seems 
to  me  to  be  in  exceeding  bad  taste  for  brethren  to  appear 
in  Masonic  clothing.  The  white  apron,  in  its  place,  is 
the  appropriate  and  emblematic  badge  of  a  Mason,  but 
in  a  ball-room,  nothing  could  look  much  more  absurd  and 
out  of  good  taste. —  Grand  blaster  Belcher,  p.  16,  1865. 


142  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 


STANDING  RESOLUTIONS  RESCINDED. 

Your  committee,  appointed  at  the  last  Annual  Com- 
munication to  revise  the  Standing  Resolutions  and  Regu- 
lations for  Trials  heretofore  in  force  in  this  jurisdiction, 
report  as  follows  :  They  find  upon  the  statute  book 
seventy-eight  so-called  Standing  Resolutions,  with  the 
exception  of  three — Nos.  12,  44  and  46 — which  have  at 
different  times  been  rescinded.  Of  these,  forty-seven, 
viz. :  1,  2,  3,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  13,  14,  15,  16,  18,  19,  20,  21, 
22,  24,  25,  27,  28,  29,  30,  32,  33,  40,  41,  42,  43,  47,  48,  49, 
53,  58,  59,  60,  61,  63,  64,  65,  66,  67,  70,  75,  76,  and  78— 
have,  together  witli  the  Regulations  for  Trials,  been 
substantially  incorporated  in  the  new  Constitution  pre- 
sented by  this  committee,  and  just  adopted  by  the  Grand 
Lodge— twenty,  viz.  :  Nos.  4,  6,  17,  23,  26,  34,  35,  36,  38, 
45,  54,  55,  56,  57,  62,  68,  71,  72,  73,  and  74— should  be 
dropped  ;  some,  as  being  entirely  useless,  some,  as  con- 
taining only  enunciations  of  common  truths  in  regard  to 
which  no  legislation  is  required,  others,  as  having  been 
intended  but  for  a  temporary  purpose,  others  still,  as  an- 
nouncing erroneous  doctrine,  and  one  or  two  perhaps,  as 
being  simply  absurd  ;  and  eight,  viz.  :  Nos.  31,  37,  39, 
50,  51,  52,  69,  and  77 — sliould,  with  some  alterations  of 
phraseology,  be  retained  as  general  regulations.  The 
committee  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  all  the  Standing  Resolutions  of  this 
Grand  Lodge,  with  the  exception  of  those  now  numbered 
as  31,  37,  39,  50,  51,  52,  69,  and  77,  be  and  are  hereby  re- 
scinded ;  and  that  those  excepted,  after  proper  correction, 
shall  be  published  hereafter,  with  the  annual  proceed- 
ings, under  the  name  of  General  Regulations. — p.  116, 
1859. 


LIST   OF   SUBORDINATE   LODGES. 


143 


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144 


THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF   MASONIC    LAW. 


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148  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 


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LIST    OF    SUBORDINATE    LODGES. 


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GKAND    OFFICEES 

ELECTED  SINCE  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GRAND  LODGE 
OF  CALIFORNIA,  APRIL  18th,  A.L.  5850. 


Note. — Those  deceased  are  indicated  thus  (*). 
1850. 

Jonathan  D.  Stevenson Grand  Master, 

John  A.  Tutt Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Caleb  Fenner Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Saschel  Woods  * Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Levi  Stowell  * Grand  Treasurer, 

John  H.  Gihon Grand  Secretary. 

1851. 

John  A.  Tutt Grand  Master, 

Benjamin  D.  Hyam Deputy  Grand  Master, 

E.  F.  W.  Ellis* Senior  Grand  Warden, 

B.  S.  Olds Junior  Grand  Warden, 

TowNSEND  A.  Thomas Grand  Treasurer, 

Levi  Stowell  * Grand  Secretary. 

1852. 

Benjamin  D.  Hyam Grand  Master, 

Charles  M.  Radcliff Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Adolphus  Hollub Senior  Grand  Warden, 


LIST    OF    GRAND    OFFICERS.  151 

John  R.  McConnell Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin  . . .  .  • Grand  Treasurer, 

Levi  Stowell  ^' Grand  Secretary. 

1853. 

Charles  M.  Radcliff Grand  Master. 

Townsend  a.  Thomas Deputy  Grand  Master, 

John  R.  Crandall Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Richard  F.  Knott Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin  Grand  Treasurer, 

Levi  Stowell  - Grand  Secretary. 

1854. 

William  H.  Howard  * Grand  Master, 

N.  Greene  Curtis Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Rector  E.  Cole Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Robert  N.  Wood* Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Levi  Stowell  * Grand  Secretary. 

1855- 

William  H.  Howard  * Grand  Master, 

Townsend  A.  Thomas Deputy  Grand  Master, 

John  A.  Raymond Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Samuel  A.  Merritt. Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Levi  Stowell  * Grand  Secretary. 

1856. 

William  H.  Howard  * Grand  Master, 

John  A.  Raymond Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Lemuel  Lyon Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Philip  W.  Randle Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 


152  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

1857. 

N.  Greene  Curtis Grand  Master, 

Charles  Marsh Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Aaron  D.  Park Senior  Grand  Warden, 

John  B.  Bope Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1858. 

N.  Greene  Curtis Grand  Master, 

Philip  W.  Shepheard  - Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Wm.  McCormick   Senior  Grand  Warden, 

James  W.  Bicknell Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1859. 

N.  Greene  Curtis Grand  Master, 

Philip  W.  Shepheard  * Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Ebenezer  Lane Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Thomas  P.  Hawley Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

i860. 

N.  Greene  Curtis Grand  :Master, 

Philip  W.  Shepheard  " Deputy  Grand  Master, 

William  C.  Belcher Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Alvinza  Hay  ward Junior  Grand  Warden, 

Addison  Martin Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1861. 

James  Lawrence  English Grand  Master, 

William  C.  Belcher Deputy  Grand  :^[aster, 

John  W.  Harville Senior  (Jrand  Warden, 


LIST    OF    GRAND    OFFICERS.  153 

Caleb  E.  Wilcoxon Junior  Grand  Warden, 

James  Laidley Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1862. 

William  Caldwell  Belcher Grand  Master, 

Gilbert  B.  Claiborne Deputy  Grand  Master, 

John  W.  Harville Senior  Grand  Warden, 

John  B.  Hewson Junior  Grand  Warden, 

James  Laidley Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1863. 

William  Caldwell  Belcher Grand  Master, 

Gilbert  B.  Claiborne Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Louis  Cohn Senior  Grand  Warden, 

William  A.  Davies Jimior  Grand  Warden, 

James  Laidley Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1864. 

William  Caldwell  Belcher Grand  Master, 

Gilbert  B.  Claiborne Deputy  Grand  Master, 

William  A.  Davies Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Junior  Grand  Warden, 

James  Laidley Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

1865. 

Gilbert  B.  Claiborne Grand  Master, 

William  A.  Davies Deputy  Grand  Master, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Henry  H.  Hartley Junior  Grand  Warden, 

James  Laidley Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 

20 


154  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

1866. 

Gilbert  B.  Claiborne Grand  Master, 

Henry  H.  Hartley Deputy  Grand  Master, 

William  H.  Peterson Senior  Grand  Warden, 

Thos.  Beck Junior  Grand  Warden, 

James  Laidley Grand  Treasurer, 

Alexander  G.  Abell Grand  Secretary. 


GRAND    CHAPTER 


ROYAL  AECH  MASONS. 


co:n^stitutio^ 


OF     THE 


M.-.E.-. GRAND    CHAPTER 


|lflgjjl    ^tt\t    '^asionsi 


OF     THE 


STATE    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


Of  the   Organization  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 
ARTICLE  I. 

OF    ITS   TITLE    AND    SEAL. 

Section  1.  This  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  entitled 
"The  Most  Excellent  Geand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons  of  the  State  of  California,"  and  shall  have  a 
Seal,  bearing  suitable  devices  and  inscriptions,  which 
shall  be  affixed  to  all  instruments  issued  by  or  under  its 
authority. 

ARTICLE   II. 

OF  its  members  and  their  qualifications. 

Section  1.     This  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  comprised 

of  a  Grand  High  Priest,  a  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  a 

Grand  King,  a  Grand  Scribe,  a  Grand  Treasurer,  a  Grand 

Secretary,  a  Grand   Chaplain,  a  Grand  Captain  of  the 


158  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Host,  a  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain,  a  Grand  Guard,  and 
such  other  officers  as  it  may  hereafter  designate  ;  to- 
gether with  all  Past  Grand  High  Priests,  Past  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priests,  Past  Grand  Kings,  Past  Grand 
Scribes,  and  Past  High  Priests,  by  service  in  this  juris- 
diction, and  the  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes  of  the 
several  chartered  and  duly  constituted  Chapters,  or  their 
regularly  appointed  proxies. 

Sec.  2.  Each  officer  and  member  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter must  be  a  member  of  some  Chapter  within  its  juris- 
diction ;  and  with  the  cessation  of  such  membership 
shall  cease  his  office  and  membership  in  the  Grand 
Chapter. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF    ITS    POWERS    AND    AUTHORITY. 

Section  1,  This  Grand  Chapter  has  the  sole  govern- 
ment and  superintendence  of  all  Chapters  of  Poyal  Arch 
Masons,  and  Lodges  of  the  Intermediate  Degrees,  in  the 
State  of  California  ;  with  authority  to  settle  controver- 
sies that  may  arise  between  them  ;  to  assign  their  limits  ; 
to  prescribe  laws  and  regulations  for  their  government ; 
and  to  review,  confirm,  or  annul  their  decisions. 

Sec.  2.  It  may  grant  dispensations  and  charters  for 
holding  regular  Chapters  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and 
may  revoke,  suspend,  or  annul  the  same  for  good  cause. 

Sec.  3.  It  may  assess  and  collect,  from  the  several 
Chapters  under  its  jurisdiction,  such  sums  of  money, 
annually,  as  may  be  found  necessary  for  its  maintenance 
and  support. 

ARTICLE   IV. 

OF    ITS    CONVOCATIONS. 

Section  L  The  Grand  Chapter  shall  hold  its  annual 
convocations  for  the  transaction  of  its  regular  business, 
at  such  place  as  the  :M.-.W.-. Grand  Ltjdgo  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  of  the  State  of  Calilbrnia  shall  meet, 
commencing  at  10  o'clock,  a.m.,  on  tlie  Monday  next  sue- 


CONSTITUTIOX    OF    THE    M.'.E.". GRAND    CHAPTER.        159 

ceecling  the  day  upon  which  that  Grand  Body  commences 
its  annual  communications. 

Sec.  2.  The  Grand  High  Priest  may  call  special  con- 
vocations of  the  Grand  Chapter  whenever  in  his  opinion 
the  welfare  of  the  Order  shall  require  it. 

Sec.  3.  Special  convocations  shall  be  ordered  by  the 
Grancl  High  Priest  upon  an  application  therefor  in  writ- 
ing, setting  forth  the  causes  which  demand  it,  and  signed 
by  the  High  Priests  of  at  least  five  chartered  Chapters. 

Sec.  4.  Every  order  for  a  special  convocation  shall 
designate  the  object  thereof,  so  far  as  is  proper  to  be 
written,  and  shall  be  issued  to  each  Chapter  and  Grand 
Officer  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  day  named  for 
meeting  ;  and  no  business  shall  be  transacted  thereat, 
other  than  that  for  which  the  Grand  Chapter  was  con- 
vened. 

Sec.  5.  There  must  be  at  least  nine  chartered  Chap- 
ters represented  in  order  to  transact  any  business  in  the 
Grand  Chapter,  either  at  an  annual  or  a  special  convoca- 
tion. 

ARTICLE    V. 

OF    ITS    elections. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter  (except 
the  Grand  Chaplain  and  the  Grand  Guard)  shall  be 
chosen  by  ballot  at  each  annual  convocation ;  shall  be 
installed  before  the  close  thereof-  and  shall  hold  their 
respective  offices  until  their  successors  are  elected  and 
installed.  A  majorit}^  of  all  the  votes  cast  shall  be 
necessary  for  a  choice.  The  Grand  Chaplain  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  2.  The  Grand  Guard  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
Grand  High  Priest,  immediately  after  his  installation, 
at  each  annual  convocation  ;  shall  be  properl}"  invested 
before  the  close  thereof ;  and  shall  hold  his  office  during 
the  will  and  pleasure  of  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  3.  Any  vacancy  in  office  occurring  when  the 
Grand   Chapter  is  not  in  session,  may  be  filled  by  the 


160  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Grand  High  Priest,  and  the  officer  so  appointed  shall 
possess  all  the  powers,  and  be  charged  with  all  the  duties 
of  one  regularly  elected. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

OF    ITS    VOTING    AND    REPEESENTATION. 

Section  1.  All  questions  in  the  Grand  Chapter  (ex- 
cept elections  of  officers)  shall  be  decided  viva  voce,  or 
by  a  show  of  hands,  unless,  before  the  announcement  of 
the  result  thereof,  three  members  shall  demand  that  the 
vote  be  taken  by  yeas  and  nays,  in  which  case  it  shall 
thus  be  taken.  In  all  cases  of  a  tie  vote,  except  votes 
by  ballot,  the  Grand  High  Priest,  in  addition  to  his 
proper  vote,  may  have  the  casting  vote. 

Sec.  2.  Each  Grand  Officer  present  (except  the  Grand 
Guard),  and  each  Past  Grand  High  Priest,  Past  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest,  Past  Grand  King,  and  Past  Grand 
Scribe  present,  shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec.  3.  Each  Chapter  represented  shall  be  entitled 
to  three  votes  ;  and  the  Past  High  Priests  of  each  Chap- 
ter shall,  collectively,  be  entitled  to  one  vote. 

Sec.  4.  No  Grand  Officer,  Past  Grand  Officer,  or  Past 
High  Priest,  voting,  or  participating  in  a  vote,  in  either 
of  those  capacities,  shall  vote,  or  participate  in  a  vote,  in 
any  other  of  them  ;  but  either  of  such  members  may, 
as  High  Priest,  King,  Scribe,  or  as  the  proxy  of  either 
or  all  of  them,  cast  also  the  vote  or  votes  to  which  such 
position  shall  entitle  him. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

OF    ITS    committees. 

Section  1.  The  following  regular  committees,  to  con- 
sist of  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than  five  members 
each,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  High  Priest  at 
each  annual  convocation,  viz. :  On  Credentials,  on  Griev- 
ances, on  Finances,  on  New  Chai)ters,  on  Returns,  on 
By-laws,  on  Jurisprudence,  and  on  Correspondence.    The 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M/.E/. GRAND    CHAPTER.       IGl 

two  last  named  shall  be  Standing  Committees,  and  shall 
serve  during  the  year. 

Sec.  2.  Special  Committees  may  also  be  appointed 
by  the  Grand  High  Priest  whenever  deemed  necessary 
by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

OF    ITS    REVENUES. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  Grand  Chapter  shall 
be  derived  from  fees  charged  for  dispensations,  charters; 
diplomas,  and  other  instruments  issued  under  its  author- 
ity, and  from  contributions  levied  upon  the  Chapters, 
which  shall  always  be  equal  and  uniform,  in  proportion 
to  their  membership  and  degrees,  as  follows  : 

1st.  For  a  dispensation  to  Open  a  new  Chapter,  ninety 
dollars,  of  which  fifteen  dollars  shall  be  the  fee  of  the 
Grand  Secretary  : 

2d.  For  a  charter  to  perpetuate  a  Chapter,  sixty  dol- 
lars, of  which  ten  dollars  shall  be  the  fee  of  the  Grand 
Secretary : 

3d.  For  a  dispensation  to  hold  an  election  for  an  officer 
or  officers  at  a  time  other  than  that  named  in  this  Con- 
stitution, five  dollars  : 

4th.  For  a  dispensation  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for 
the  degrees,  without  reference  to  a  committee,  five  dol- 
lars : 

5th.  For  a  diploma,  five  dollars,  of  Avhich  three  dollars 
shall  be  the  fee  of  the  Grand  Secretary : 

And  in  no  case  shall  any  of  the  foregoing  documents 
be  issued  until  the  fees  therefor  shall  have  been  paid  to 
the  Grand  Secretary. 

Sec.  2.  The  following  contributions  shall  be  paid  as 
annual  dues,  by  each  of  the  Chapters,  whether  chartered 
or  under  dispensation  : 

1st.  For  each  Mark  Master's,  Past  Master's,  Most  Ex- 
cellent Master's,  and  Royal  Arch  Degree,  conferred  dur- 
ing the  year,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  : 

21 


162  THE    CALIFORNIA   DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

2d.  For  each  Royal  Arch  Mason  borne  upon  its  roll, 
at  the  date  of  its  annual  return,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  ; 
and  the  Grand  Chapter  may  levy,  in  addition  to  the 
above,  such  other  contributions  as,  in  its  judgment,  may 
be  required. 


Of  the    Grand    Officers. 
ARTICLE  IX. 

OF    THE    CxRAND    HIGH    PRIEST. 

Section  1.  The  G-rand  High  Priest  shall,  at  each  an- 
nual convocation,  present  a  written  report  of  all  his  offi- 
cial acts  during  the  year,  and  of  the  condition  of  Royal 
Arch  Masonry  within  his  jurisdiction,  together  Avith  such 
recommendations  as  he  shall  deem  conducive  to  the  pros- 
perity and  advancement  of  the  Order.  From  his  decis- 
ions there  shall  be  no  appeal. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  carefully  supervise  the  subordinate 
Chapters,  and  see  that  the  Constitutions  and  Regulations 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  as  well  as  those  of  this 
Grand  Chapter,  are  faithfully  observed. 

Sec.  3.  He  shall  have  power,  when  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter is  not  in  session — 

1st.  To  issue  dispensations  for  the  formation  of  new 
Chapters  : 

2d.  To  issue  dispensations  for  the  election  of  an  officer 
or  officers  of  a  Chapter  at  a  time  other  than  that  named 
in  this  Constitution  : 

3d.  To  issue  dispensations  to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for 
the  degrees  without  reference  to  a  committee  : 

4th.  To  convene  any  Chapter  within  his  jurisdiction, 
preside  therein,  inspect  its  proceedings,  and  give  such 
orders  and  instructions  as  he  may  deem  necessary  : 

5th.  To  arrest  the  charter  or  dispensation  of  any  Chap- 
ter, for  good  reasons  shown,  and.  ior   proper  cause,  to 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M.'.E. '.GRAND    CHAPTER,        163 

suspend  any  High  Priest  from  the  functions  of  his  office 
until  the  ensuing  annual  convocation. 

Sec.  4.  He  shall  constitute,  either  in  person  or  by 
proxy,  all  newly-chartered  j^Chapters,  and  install  their 
officers. 

ARTICLE  X. 

OF   THE    DEPUTY   GRAND    HIGH    PRIEST. 

Section  1.  The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  shall  have 
power,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  to  grant 
dispensations  for  the  formation  of  new  Chapters. 

Sec.  2.  In  the  event  of  the  death  of  the  Grand  High 
Priest,  or  of  his  absence  from  the  State,  or  his  inability, 
from  any  cause,  to  perform  the  functions  of  his  office, 
the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  shall  succeed  to  and  be 
charged  with  all  his  powers  and  duties. 

ARTICLE  XL 

OF  THE  GRAND  KING  AND  GRAND  SCRIBE. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  King  and  Grand  Scribe,  in  the 
event  of  the  death,  absence  from  the  State,  or  inability, 
as  before,  of  both  their  superiors,  shall  in  the  order  of 
their  rank,  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all  the  pow- 
ers and  duties  of  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  2.  In  case  all  the  four  principal  Grand  Officers 
shall  be  absent  from  any  convocation,  the  Past  Grand 
Officers  of  like  rank,  shall,  in  the  order  of  their  rank  and 
seniority,  be  empowered  to  preside  ;  and  in  the  event  of 
the  absence  of  all  the  Grand  and  Past  Grand  Officers, 
the  High  Priest  of  the  oldest  Chapters  represented, 
shall  take  charge. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

OF   THE   GRAND    TREASURER. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Treasurer  shall  receive  all 
moneys  belonging  to  the  Grand  Chapter  from  the  Grand 
Secretary,  and  shall  pay  the  same  out  under  such  regu- 


164  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

lations  as  may  by  it  be  provided.  He  shall  keep  a  just 
account  thereof  in  proper  books,  and  at  each  annual 
convocation  shall  present  a  detailed  statement  of  his 
receipts  and  disbursements,  together  with  proper  vouch- 
ers for  the  latter,  and  a  full  statement  of  the  existing 
condition  of  the  finances. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  execute  and  file  with  the  Grand 
High  Priest,  within  fifteen  days  after  his  installation,  a 
bond,  in  such  penal  sum,  and  with  such  sureties,  as  shall 
be  approved  by  that  officer,  conditioned  that  he  will 
faithfully  discharge  his  duties,  and  at  the  end  of  his  term 
of  office,  pay  over  and  transfer  to  his  successor  all  funds 
or  property  of  the  Grand  Chapter  which  shall  have  come 
into  his  keeping. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

OF   THE    GRAND    SECRETARY. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary to  record  all  the  transactions  of  the  Grand  Chapter 
which  it  is  proper  to  have  written,  and  to  superintend 
the  publication  thereof  immediately  after  the  close  of 
each  annual  convocation.  He  shall  receive,  duly  file, 
and  safely  keep,  all  papers  and  documents  addressed  or 
belonging  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  present  such  as 
may  require  its  action,  at  each  convocation.  He  shall 
keep  the  Seal  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  fix  the  same 
with  his  attestation  to  all  documents  emanating  from 
that  body.  Ho  shall  collect  the  revenue  of  the  Grand 
Chapter,  pay  it  over  to  the  Grand  Treasurer,  and  pre- 
sent a  detailed  report  of  his  receipts  and  of  all  business 
appertaining  to  his  office,  at  each  annual  convocation. 
He  shall  report  at  each  annual  convocation  all  Chapters 
wliicli  are  in  arrears  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  which 
shall  have  neglected  or  refused  to  comply  with  any 
provision  of  its  Constitution  or  Regulations.  He  shall 
conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  and 
submit  copies  thereof  at  each  annual  i-onvocation.     He 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M.'.E.". GRAND    CHAPTER.       165 

shall  take  charge  of  the  jewels,  furniture,  clothing,  and 
paraphernalia  of  the  Grand  Chapter  during  its  vaca- 
tions. He  shall  report  at  each  annual  convocation  all 
unfinished  business,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties 
as  may  be  assigned  him  by  the  Grand  Chapter  or  Grand 
High  Priest. 

Sec.  2.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  i'or  his 
services  as  the  Grand  Chapter  may  direct,  and  shall 
execute  and  file  with  the  Grand  High  Priest,  Avithin 
fifteen  days  after  his  installation,  a  bond,  in  such  penal 
sum,  and  with  such  sureties,  as  shall  be  approved  by 
that  officer,  conditioned  that  he  will  faithfully  discharge 
the  duties  of  his  office,  as  prescribed  by  this  Constitution. 


Relative  to  Subordinate  Chapters. 
ARTICLE  XIV. 

OF   THEIR   FORMATION. 

Section  1.  Upon  the  petition  of  nine  or  more  Royal 
Arcli  Masons  in  good  standing,  the  Grand  Chapter, 
Grand  High  Priest,  or  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  may 
issue  a  Letter  of  Dispensation  authorizing  them  to  form 
and  open  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  Lodges 
of  the  Intermediate  Degrees,  with  power  to  confer  the 
several  degrees  thereof  and  receive  members  by  affilia- 
tion. But  no  such  dispensation  shall  issue,  unless  the 
petition  be  accompanied  by  a  recommendation  from  the 
chartered  Chapter  nearest  the  location  of  the  proposed 
new  one,  which  shall  certify  to  the  good  standing  of  each 
of  the  petitioners,  and  that  a  suitable  place  of  meeting- 
has  been  provided  ;  and  by  a  certificate  from  the  Grand 
Lecturer  (if  there  be  one),  or  from  a  High  Priest  whom 
the  Grand  High  Priest  is  satisfied  is  well  skilled  in  the 
Royal  Art,  declaring  that  the  High  Priest  proposed  in 
said  petition  is  qualified  to  properly  confer  all  the  Chap- 


16G  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

ter  degrees  and  deliver  the  lectures  thereunto  apper- 
taming  ;  nor  unless  the  petition  shall  also  be  accompan- 
ied by  a  certificate  of  withdrawal  of  each  petitioner  from 
the  Chapter  of  which  he  was  last  a  member.  Such  dis- 
pensation shall  terminate  on  the  first  day  of  the  month 
in  which  the  next  succeeding  annual  convocation  shall 
be  holden,  and  then  shall  be  returned  to  the  Grand  Sec- 
retary, together  Avith  the  book  of  records,  by-laws,  and 
returns  to  that  date,  when,  if  the  transactions  of  the  new 
Chapter  shall  appear  satisfactory  to  the  Grand  Chapter, 
it  may,  upon  petition  therefor,  receive  a  charter. 

Sec.  2.  A  Chapter  shall  consist  of  a  High  Priest,  a 
King,  a  Scribe,  a  Captain  of  the  Host,  a  Principal  So- 
journer, a  Royal  Arch  Captain,  three  Masters  of  the 
Vails,  a  Treasurer,  a  Secretary,  a  Guard,  and  such  other 
officers  as  its  By-laws  may  provide,  together  with  as 
many  members  as  it  may  find  convenient. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

OF    THEIR    DUTIES. 

Section  1.  Each  Chapter  shall  have  a  stated  meeting 
at  least  once  in  every  month  for  the  transaction  of  its 
regular  business.  Special  meetings  may  be  ordered  by 
the  Chapter,  or  by  the  High  Priest,  but  no  business  shall 
be  done  thereat,  except  collections  or  appropriations  for 
charity,  or  conferring  of  degrees.  All  business,  except 
the  conferring  of  degrees,  shall  be  done  in  a  Chapter  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons. 

Sec.  2.  Each  chartered  and  duly  constituted  Chapter 
shall  be  represented  in  the  Grand  Chapter  at  every  con- 
vocation, by  one  or  more  of  its  proper  officers,  or  by  his 
or  their  proxies  ;  but  such  proxy  or  proxies  shall  be 
members  of  such  Chapter. 

Sec.  3.  Each  chartered  Chapter  shall  transmit  to  the 
Grand  Secretary  a  full  and  correct  returns  of  its  trans- 
actions for  the  twelve  months  next  preceding  the  first 
day  of  xVugust  in  each  year,  within   litteen  days  there- 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M/.E.*. GRAND    CHArTER.        167 

after,  in  the  form  hereinafter  provided,  and  shall  accom- 
pany such  return  with  payment  of  its  dues  to  the  Grand 
Chapter. 

Sec.  4.  Each  Chapter  shall  transmit  to  the  Grand 
Secretary  a  copy  of  its  By-laws,  as  soon  as  adopted,  but 
no  such  By-laws,  nor  any  subsequent  amendment  there- 
unto, shall  be  deemed  valid,  until  approved  by  the  Grand 
Chapter,  though  they  may  be  acted  under  until  the  next 
annual  convocation,  if  approved  by  the  Grand  High 
Priest. 

Sec.  5.  Each  chartered  Chapter  shall,  within  three 
months  from  the  date  of  its  charter,  provide  a  suitable 
seal,  bearing  such  devices  as  shall  be  deemed  proper, 
and  having  inscribed  thereon  the  name  and  number  of 
the  Chapter,  the  date  of  its  charter,  and  the  place  of 
its  location  ;  and  all  documents  and  papers  emanating 
from  such  Chapter,  or  from  its  High  Priest,  or  Secre- 
.  tary,  in  his  ofi&cial  capacity,  shall  bear  the  impress  of 
such  seal,  or  be  considered  null  and  of  no  effect. 

ARTICLE   XVI. 

OF    THEIR    ELECTIONS. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  each  Chapter  (except  the 
Guard,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  High  Priest)  shall 
be  chosen  by  ballot,  at  the  stated  meeting  next  preced- 
ing the  Anniversary  of  St,  John  the  Evangelist ;  shall 
be  installed  as  soon  thereafter  as  practicable,  and  shall 
hold  their  respective  offices  until  their  successors  shall 
have  been  duly  elected  and  installed.  A  majority  of  all 
the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary  for  a  choice. 

Sec.  2.  In  case  any  Chapter  shall  fail  to  hold  such 
election  at  the  time  above  specified,  upon  good  cause 
being  shown  therefor,  the  Grand  High  Priest  may  issue 
a  dispensation  to  hold  such  election  at  another  time  ; 
and  in  case  a  vacancy  shall  at  any  time  occur  in  either 
of  the  offices  of  High  Priest,  King,  or  Scribe,  in  any 
Chapter,  upon  proper  representation  of  the  necessity 


168  THE    CALIFORNIA    DICxEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

therefor,  the  Grand  High  Priest  may  issue  a  dispensa- 
tion to  fill  such  vacancy.  But,  in  either  of  these  cases, 
such  dispensation  shall  be  issued  only  upon  the  applica- 
tion of  the  Chapter,  setting  forth  the  reasons  therefor, 
to  be  approved  by  two-thirds  of  the  members  present  at 
a  stated  meeting,  and  to  be  properly  certified  by  the 
Secretary ;  and  of  the  special  election  which  may  thus 
be  ordered  the  members  shall  have  due  notice. 

Sec.  2.  Every  member  in  good  standing,  and  whose 
dues  are  paid,  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  at  all  elections  ; 
and  every  voter  shall  be  eligible  to  any  office  in  the 

Chapter. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

OF    PROHIBITIONS. 

Section  1.  No  Chapter  in  this  State  shall  receive  an 
application  for  the  degrees  unless  the  applicant  shall 
have  resided  within  its  jurisdiction  during  six  months, 
next  preceding  the  date  of  his  application,  except  by 
permission  of  the  Chapter  nearest  his  place  of  residence  ; 
nor  shall  the  application  of  a  rejected  candidate  for  the 
degrees  be  presented  to  any  Chapter  within  six  months 
after  such  rejection,  without  the  unanimous  consent  of 
the  Chapter  in  which  he  was  rejected.  All  such  appli- 
cations, as  well  as  those  for  affiliation,  shall  be  in  writing, 
signed  by  the  applicant,  and  recommended  by  at  least 
two  members  of  the  Chapter. 

Sec.  2.  No  Chapter  shall  ballot  u[)on  such  applica- 
tion (except  by  dispensation  of  the  Grand  High  Priest), 
until  it  shall  have  been  referred  to  a  committee,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  make  strict  examination  into  the  qual- 
ifications of  the  applicant,  and  to  report  thereon  at  the 
next  stated  meeting,  unless  further  time  be  granted.  No 
application  shall  be  withdrawn  after  reference  to  a  com- 
mittee, and  it  shall  ro(]uire  a  unanimous  ballot  to  elect. 
But  if  one  black  ball  only  appear  in  the  ballot-box,  the 
High  Priest,  without  declaring  the  result,  may  order  a 
second  ballot,  ibr  the   purpose  of  correcting  a  possible 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M/.E. ".GRAND    CHAPTER.        16') 

mistake,  when,  if  a  black  ball  again  be  cast,  the  appli- 
cant shall  be  declared  rejected. 

Sec.  3.  No  dispensation  shall  be  issued  to  a  Chapter 
to  ballot  for  a  candidate  for  the  degrees  without  the  ref- 
erence of  his  petition  to  a  committee,  as  before,  unless 
application  therefor  be  made  by  a  majority  of  the  Coun- 
cil thereof,  and  of  the  issue  of  such  dispensation  and  its 
purpose  the  members  of  the  Chapter  shall  have  due  no- 
tice. 

Sec.  4.  No  Chapter  shall  receive  a  petition  for  the 
degrees,  or  for  membership,  unless  the  applicant  there- 
for is  a  Master  Mason,  in  good  standing  ;  nor  shall  an 
application  for  affiliation  be  received  unless  it  be  accom- 
panied by  a  certificate  of  dismissal  from  the  Chapter  of 
which  the  applicant  was  last  a  member,  or  a  satisfactory 
explanation,  in  writing,  of  the  inability  to  furnish  such 
certificate. 

Sec.  5.  No  Chapter  shall  confer  the  degrees  for  a 
less  sum  than  fifty  dollars ;  and  in  every  case  the  fee  for 
each,  or  all  of  the  degrees,  as  may  be  regulated  by  the 
Chapter,  shall  accompany  the  application. 

Sec.  6.  No  Chapter  shall  expel  a  member  for  the 
non-payment  of  his  dues,  but  any  member  who  shall  be 
six  months  in  arrears  therefor  shall  be  immediately  noti- 
fied thereof  by  the  Secretary,  and  if  the  said  dues  shall 
not  be  paid  at  or  before  the  next  stated  meeting,  or  some 
sufficient  reason  be  presented  for  such  non-payment,  he 
shall  be  suspended  from  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
Royal  Arch  Masonry.  Any  member  thus  suspended, 
who  shall  at  any  time  thereafter  pay  the  arrearages  due 
at  the  time  of  his  suspension,  together  with  such  further 
dues  as  would,  had  he  retained  his  membership,  have 
accrued  against  him,  to  the  date  of  such  payment,  shall 
by  that  act  be  restored. 

Sec.  7.  No  Chapter  shall  receive  lectures  from  any 
person  who  is  not  duly  authorized  by  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter, or  Grand  High  Priest. 

22 


no  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

Sec.  8.  No  Chapter  which  shall  have  failed  to  make 
its  annual  returns  shall  be  entitled  to  representation  at 
the  next  annual  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  9.  No  person  shall  be  admitted  either  as  a  mem- 
ber or  a  visitor  in  any  Chapter,  unless  he  shall  have 
regularly  received  the  degree  of  Entered  Apprentice, 
Fellow-Craft,  Master  Mason,  Mark  Master,  Past  Master, 
Most  Excellent  Master,  and  the  Royal  Arch,  in  just  and 
legally  constituted  bodies  of  such. 

Sec.  10.  No  Chapter,  until  chartered  and  duly  con- 
stituted, shall  be  entitled  to  representation  in  this  Grand 
Chapter ;  but  a  Chapter  under  dispensation  may  send 
delegates  thereto,  who  may  be  admitted  to  seats  and  be 
permitted  to  speak,  but  shall  have  no  vote. 

Sec.  11.  No  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  within 
this  jurisdiction  shall  be  considered  legal  without  a  dis- 
pensation or  charter  from  this  Grand  Chapter  ;  and  no 
Masonic  communication  shall  be  held  with  any  such 
Chapter,  or  with  any  person  who  is  a  member  thereof, 
or  has  received  the  degrees  therein. 

ARTICLE  ■XVIII. 

OF   THE    DISSOLUTION    OF    CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  The  charter  of  a  Chapter  may  be  surren- 
dered, if  notice  shall  be  given  at  a  stated  meeting  that  a 
resolution  to  that  effect  will  be  presented  at  the  next 
succeeding  one  ;  and  if,  at  such  succeeding  meeting, 
there  shall  not  be  nine  members  present  who  oppose 
such  resolution,  it  may  be  surrendered,  if  it  shall  be  so 
ordered  by  a  majority  of  those  assembled  ;  but  no  such 
act  of  surrender  shall  be  considered  final  until  it  shall 
have  been  approved  and  accepted  by  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  2.     The  charter  of  a  Chapter  may  be  forfeited — 

1st.  By  disobedience  to  any  provision  of  the  Consti- 
tution or  Regulations  of  this  Grand  Chapter,  or  of  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  : 

2d.  By  disregard  to  the  lawful  autliority  of  the  Grand 
Fligh  Priest : 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M.'.E.". GRAND    CHAPTER.       171 

3d.  By  violation  or  neglect  of  the  ancient  and  recog- 
nized usages  of  the   Craft : 

4th.  By  a  failure  to  meet  during  a  period  of  six  suc- 
cessive months  ;  or 

5tli.  By  a  reduction  of  its  members  to  a  less  number 
than  nine. 

Sec.  3.  In  case  of  the  dissolution  of  a  Chapter,  the 
Grand  Secretary,  or  some  companion  by  him  duly  author- 
ized, shall  at  once  proceed  to  receive  its  funds  on  hand, 
collect  its  outstanding  dues,  and  dispose  of  its  jewels, 
furniture,  and  property  of  every  kind,  in  such  manner 
as  shall  seem  to  him  most  judicious  ;  and  he  shall  place 
the  proceeds  thereof,  after  the  payment  of  the  necessary 
expenses,  among  the  funds  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

OP   THE    OFFICERS    OF    CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  Each  High  Priest  has  it  in  special  charge 
to  see  that  the  By-laws  of  his  Chapter,  and  the  Consti- 
tution and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  as  well  as 
those  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  are  duly  observed  ; 
that  accurate  records  are  kept,  and  just  accounts  and 
proper  reports  rendered  by  his  officers  ;  and  that  regular 
returns  are  annually  made  to  the  Grand  Chapter  at  the 
time  prescribed  therefor,  with  prompt  payment  of  the 
annual  dues.  From  hio  decisions  there  shall  be  no  appeal 
to  the  Chapter,  but  any  five  members  thereof  may  com- 
plain of  his  decisions  or  conduct  to  the  Grand  Chapter 
or  Grand  High  Priest. 

Sec.  2.  The  King  and  Scribe  shall  perform  the  duties 
severally  assigned  them  by  the  traditional  usages  of  the 
Order,  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  High  Priest,  shall,  in 
the  order  of  their  rank,  succeed  to  and  be  charged  ^vith 
all  his  powers  and  duties. 

Sec.  3.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  from  the  Secre- 
tary all  mone^'^s  belonging  to  the  Chapter,  and  shall  pay 
the  same  out  under  such  regulations,  and  account  there- 


172  THE    CALIFOENIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

for  at  such  times  and  in  such  manner  as  by  it  may  be 
prescribed. 

Sec.  4.  The  Secretary  shall  keep  an  accurate  record 
of  all  the  transactions  of  the  Chapter  which  should  be 
written,  including  a  Ust  of  the  officers  and  members 
present  at  each  meeting  ;  shall  collect  the  revenue,  and 
pay  it  over  to  the  Treasurer  ;  shall  keep  correct  accounts 
of  the  dues  of  members  ;  shall  prepare  and  transmit  the 
annual  returns  to  the  Grand  Secretary  ;  shall  keep  the 
Seal  of  the  Chapter,  and  affix  it  to  all  documents  ema- 
nating therefrom  ;  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties 
as  may  be  required  of  him  by  the  Chapter  or  High 
Priest. 

Sec.  5.     The  other  officers  shall  perform  such  duties 

as  traditionally  appertain  to  their  respective  stations,  or 

may  be  assigned  them  by  the    Chapter  or   the   High 

Priest. 

ARTICLE   XX. 

OP    MEMBERSHIP. 

Section  1.  Membership  in  a  Chapter  may  be  acquired 
by  having  regularly  received  the  degree  of  Royal  Arch 
Mason  therein  ;  by  having  been  duly  elected  for  affilia- 
tion therewith  ;  or,  by  having  been  named,  in  a  dispen- 
sation for  a  new  Chapter,  as  one  of  the  petitioners  there- 
for. 

Sec.  2.  No  Royal  Arch  Mason  shall  be  a  member  of 
more  than  one  Chapter  at  a  time. 

Sec.  3.  Membership  in  a  Chapter  can  only  be  termi- 
nated by  voluntary  withdrawal  therefrom  ;  by  the  disso- 
lution of  the  Chapter ;  or,  by  death,  suspension,  or  ex- 
pulsion. 

Sec.  4.  A  member  of  a  Chapter  may  withdraw  there- 
from, unless  charges  are  pending  against  him,  by  pay- 
ing his  dues  and  notifying  the  Chapter  of  such  intention 
at  any  stated  meeting  ;  but  no  recommendatory  certifi- 
cate shall  be  issued,  unless  ordered  by  a  majority  of  the 
members  present. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M.'.E.'.PxRAND    CHAPTER.        17^ 

Sec.  5.  No  member  of  a  Chapter  shall  be  required  to 
divulge  his  vote  upon  a  ballot  for  the  degrees  or  for  affili- 
ation, nor  to  assign  reasons  for  such  vote,  if  it  be  known. 


Of  Trials^  Appeals^  and  Penalties. 
ARTICLE  XXI. 

relative   to    THE    GRAND    HIGH    PRIEST. 

Section  1.  Charges  may  be  preferred  against  the 
Grand  High  Priest  for  abuse  of  his  power,  violation  of 
the  Constitution  or  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter, 
or  other  unmasonic  conduct,  by  any  five  High  Priests  of 
Chapters  ;  which  charges  shall  be  in  writing,  over  their 
signatures,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  last  Past  Grand 
High  Priest  of  this  Grand  Chapter  who  may  be  within 
the  State,  and  who  is  a  member  of  a  Chapter  within  its 
jurisdiction. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  such  Past  Grand  High  Priest  to 
transmit  a  copy  thereof  to  the  accused,  if  within  the 
State,  at  least  thirty  days,  and  if  without  the  State,  at 
least  ninety  days,  before  the  time  designated  for  the  trial, 
together  with  a  notification  to  attend  at  such  time  and  at 
the  place  he  may  therein  name,  which  shall  be  one  most 
convenient  for  the  parties  ;  and  he  shall  also  summon  four 
or  more  other  Past  Grand  High  Priests  of  this  State,  who 
shall  be  members  of  Chapters  therein,  to  assemble  with 
him  at  the  time  and  place  designated,  and  shall  notify  the 
accused  thereof. 

Sec.  3.  The  tribunal  thus  assembled,  or  any  of  its 
members,  shall  have  power  to  summon  witnesses  at  the 
request  of  either  party  ;  it  shall  receive  such  testimony 
as  in  its  judgment  shall  be  proper,  and  shall  determine 
finally  upon  the  guilt  qr  innocence  of  the  accused  ;  and 
the  opinion  of  a  majorit}^  shall  be  the  judgment  of  the 
tribunal,  and  shall  be  final. 


174  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP    MASONIC    LAW. 

Sec.  4.  The  only  penalty  inflicted  shall  be  depriva- 
tion of  office ;  but,  when  thus  deprived,  the  adjudged 
shall  be  amenable  to  his  Chapter  upon  a  charge  of  un- 
masonic  conduct. 

Sec.  5.  The  Grand  Secretary  shall  attend  at  the  trial 
to  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  and  of  the  judgment, 
which  shall  be  filed  in  his  office,  and  shall  be  presented 
at  the  next  annual  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  6.  All  necessary  traveling  expenses  of  the  mem- 
bers of  such  tribunal  shall  be  paid  by  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter. 

ARTICLE  XXII. 

RELATIVE   TO    HIGH   PRIESTS    OF    CHAPTERS. 

Section  1.  Charges  may  be  preferred  against  the 
High  Priest  of  a  Chapter  for  abuse  of  his  power,  viola- 
tion of  the  Constitution  or  Regulations,  or  for  unmasonic 
conduct  of  any  kind,  by  any  five  Royal  Arch  Masons 
in  good  standing  ;  which  charges  shall  be  in  writing,  over 
their  signatures,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  Grand 
Chapter,  if  in  session,  or  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  dur- 
ing the  vacation. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  the 
Grand  Chapter,  or  the  Grand  High  Priest,  as  the  case 
may  be,  may  at  once  appoint  and  summon  not  less  than 
three  nor  more  than  seven  disinterested  High  Priests,  to 
assemble  as  Commissioners  to  hear  and  determine  there- 
upon ;  and  shall  then  summon  the  accused  to  appear  and 
answer  thereunto,  at  such  time  and  place  most  conveni- 
ent for  the  parties  as  shall  be  indicated  in  said  sum- 
mons ;  giving  him,  if  within  the  jurisdiction  of  his  Chap- 
ter, at  least  ten  days — if  without  that  jurisdiction  and 
within  the  State,  at  least  thirty  days — and  if  without  the 
•State,  at  least  ninety  days — to  answer  thereunto;  and 
transmitting  to  him  also  a  copy  of  the  charges. 

Sec.  3.  The  Commissioners  thus  assembled  shall  choose 
one  of  their  number  to  preside  ;  and  they,  or  any  of  them, 
shall  have  power  to  summon  witnesses,  at  the  request  of 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE    M/.E/. GRAND    CHAPTER.        175 

either  party.  The  witnesses,  if  Masons,  shall  testify  upon 
their  honor,  as  such  ;  if  not,  their  depositions  shall  be 
taken,  in  writing,  before  an  officer  legally  authorized  to 
administer  oaths  ;  and,  in  such  case,  the  party  requiring 
such  depositions  shall  notify  the  other  of  the  time  and 
place  when  and  where  they  will  be  talvcn,  that  he  may, 
if  he  choose,  be  present  thereat. 

Sec.  4.  The  Commissioners  may  adjourn  from  time 
to  time,  at  their  own  convenience,  or  for  good  cause 
shown  by  either  party  ;  provided,  that  the  period  witliin 
which  their  duties  shall  be  concluded  shall  not  exceed 
ten  days,  unless,  for  sufficient  reasons,  the  Grand  High 
Priest  shall  grant  them  further  time. 

Sec.  5.  The  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  Commis- 
sioners shall  be  deemed  the  judgment  of  the  whole,  and 
shall  be  conclusive,  unless  an  appeal  be  taken  at  the  next 
annual  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 

Sec.  6.  The  penalties  which  may  be  inflicted  by  such 
Commissioners  may  be  either  deprivation  of  office,  sus- 
pension, or  expulsion,  as  in  their  judgment  shall  be 
deemed  proper. 

Sec.  7.  The  Commissioners  shall  keep  a  complete 
record  of  their  proceedings  and  of  their  judgment,  and 
shall  transmit  the  same  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  at  the 
conclusion  of  the  trial ;  and  the  judgment  shall  at  once 
be  carried  into  effect,  bv  order  of  the  Grand  Hio-h  Priest. 

Sec.  8.  An  appeal  to  the  Grand  Chapter  may  be 
taken  at  its  next  annual  convocation,  by  either  party,  if 
notice  thereof  be  given  to  the  Grand  Secretary  within 
thirty  days  after  the  conclusion  of  the  trial. 

ARTICLE   XXIII. 
relative  to   chapters  and   members   of   different 

chapters. 
Section  1.     When   a  controversy  shall  arise  between 
Chapters,  or  between  a  Chapter  and  a  member  or  mem- 
bers of  another  Chapter,  charges  ma}^  be  preferred  by 


176  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

either  party,  if  in  good  standing- ;  which  charges  shall 
be  in  writing,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter, or  Grand  High  Priest,  as  provided  in  Sec.  1,  Art. 
XXII. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  not 
less  than  five  nor  more  than  seven  Commissioners  shall 
be  appointed  and  summoned,  as  provided  in  Sec.  2,  Art. 
XXII;  which  Commissioners  shall  be  High  Priests, 
Kings,  or  Scribes,  and  shall  be  selected  from  at  least 
three  diiferent  Chapters  not  interested  in  the  contro- 
versy, and  most  convenient  to  the  parties ;  and  the  ac- 
cused party  shall  be  summoned,  with  such  time  to  an- 
swer as  provided  in  the  section  and  article  last  quoted. 

Sec.  3.  The  Commissioners  shall  have  power  to  pro- 
ceed, and  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  proceedings  and 
judgment  in  the  same  manner  as  provided  in  Sec.  7,  Art. 
XXII,  and  the  penalties  which  they  may  inflict  may  be 
any  known  to  Masonic  usage  ;  or,  if  the  case  be  not  one 
involving  a  violation  of  Masonic  duty,  the  decision  may 
be  such  special  one  as  the  circumstances  shall,  in  their 
judgment,  warrant. 

Sec.  4.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  by  either  party  to 
the  Grand  Chapter,  as  provided  in  Sec.  8,  Art.  XXII. 

ARTICLE   XXIV. 

RELATIVE    TO    ROYAL   ARCH   MASONS    INDIVIDUALLY. 

Section  1.  When  any  member  of  a  Chapter  (except 
its  High  Priest,  or  tlie  Grand  High  Priest),  or  any  Royal 
Arch  Mason,  residing  within  its  jurisdiction,  sliall  be  ac- 
cused erf  unmasonic  conduct,  charges  to  that  effect  may 
be  preferred  by  any  Royal  Arch  Mason  in  good  standing  ; 
which  charges  shall  be  in  writing,  over  his  signature, 
and  shall  be  presented  to  the  High  Priest  of  the  Chap- 
ter having  jurisdiction  thereof. 

Sec.  2.  Upon  the  presentation  of  such  charges,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  High  Priest,  by  due  notifica- 
tion, to  call  a  special  meeting  of  the   Chapter  as  soon  as 


CONSTITUTION    OF   THE   M/.E/.GRAND    CHAPTER.       177 

practicable,  and  there  cause  to  be  elected,  by  ballot,  and 
by  a  majority  of  those  present,  not  less  than  seven  nor 
more  than  nine  of  its  members,  who  shall  assemble  as 
Commissioners,  to  hear  and  determine  thereupon,  at  such 
time  and  place  convenient  to  the  parties  as  he  shall  indi- 
cate ;  and  he  shall  also  summon  the  accused  to  appear 
and  answer  thereunto  at  such  time  and  place  ;  and  shall, 
at  the  same  time,  cause  the  Secretary  to  furnish  him  with 
a  copy  of  the  charges,  and  to  notify  the  accuser  of  the 
said  time  and  place  of  trial. 

Sec.  8.  If  the  accused  be  within  the  jurisdiction  ol 
the  Chapter,  the  summons  and  copy  of  the  charges  shall 
be  issued  at  least  ten  days  prior  to  the  day  appointed  for 
the  trial,  and  shall  be  served  personally  by  the  Guard, 
or  shall  be  left  at  his  ordinary  residence  or  place  of  busi- 
ness. If  he  be  without  the  said  jurisdiction,  but  within 
the  State,  and  his  residence  be  known,  they  shall  be  is- 
sued at  least  thirty  days  before  the  day  of  trial,  and  shall 
be  forwarded  to  his  address  by  the  Secretary,  by  mail  or 
other  usual  mode  of  conveyance,  which  shall  be  deemed 
sufficient  service.  If  he  be  without  the  State,  and  his 
residence  be  known,  they  shall  be  issued  at  least  ninety 
days  before  the  trial,  and  shall  be  forwarded  to  his  ad- 
dress by  the  Secretary,  as  before  provided,  which  shall 
be  sufficient  service.  If  his  address  is  unknown,  the  High 
Priest  shall  order  the  trial  to  proceed  at  once  upon  the 
•testimony,  ex  'parte. 

Sec.  4.  The  Commissioners  shall  assemble  at  the  time 
and  place  appointed,  and  shall  choose  one  of  their  num- 
ber to  preside  ;  and  the  Secretary,  by  order  of  the  High 
Priest,  shall  attend  them,  to  keep  a  full  and  correct  record 
of  the  proceedings  and  of  the  judgment,  under  their  su- 
pervision. 

Sec.  5.  The  High  Priest  shall  summon  such  witnesses, 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  his  Chapter,  as  may  be  desired 
by  either  party,  and  the  accused  may  select  any  brother 
in  good  standing  to  assist  him  in  his  defense.     The  wit- 

23 


178  THE    CALIFOENIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

nesses,  if  Masons,  shall  testify  on  their  honor  as  such ; 
if  not,  their  depositions  shall  be  taken  in  writing,  before 
an  officer  legally  authorized  to  administer  oaths  ;  and,  in 
such  case,  the  party  requiring  such  depositions  shall 
notify  the  other  of  the  time  and  place  when  and  where 
they  will  be  taken,  that  he  may,  if  he  choose,  be  present 
thereat. 

Sec.  6.  The  Commissioners  may  adjourn  from  time 
to  time,  at  their  own  convenience,  or  for  sufficient  cause 
shown  by  either  party  ;  provided,  that  the  period  within 
which  their  duties  shall  be  concluded  shall  not  exceed 
ten  days,  unless  for  good  reason  shown  the  High  Priest 
shall  grant  them  further  time. 

Sec.  7.  After  all  the  testimony  shall  have  been  re- 
ceived, the  Commissioners  shall  proceed  to  deliberate 
upon  their  verdict  and  sentence,  with  none  present  save 
themselves  and  the  Secretary,  which  last  shall  have  no 
voice  in  the  proceedings.  The  judgment  of  a  majority 
of  the  Commissioners  shall  be  taken  as  the  decision  of 
the  whole  ;  and  when  the  trial  is  concluded,  the  Secre- 
tary shall  make  a  fair  copy  of  the  record  and  finding,  un- 
der their  supervision,  which  shall  be  signed  by  the  chair- 
man of  such  Commission,  and  attested  by  the  Secretary, 
and  shall  be  presented  to  the  High  Priest,  wl^o,  at  the 
next  meeting  of  his  Chapter,  shall,  in  the  presence  of  its 
members  only,  announce  the  result,  and  direct  the  Secre- 
tary to  record  the  same  as  the  judgment  of  the  Chapter, 
and  file  the  record  for  safe  keeping  among  its  archives. 

Sec.  8.  The  penalties  which  may  be  inflicted  are  rep- 
rimand in  open  Chapter,  suspension,  or  expulsion.  If 
the  sentence  be  reprimand,  the  High  Priest  shall  sum- 
mon the  adjudged  to  appear  at  the  next  stated  meeting, 
when  it  shall  be  carried  into  effect,  in  the  presence  only 
of  members  of  the  Chapter.  If  it  be  suspension  or  ex- 
pulsion, it  sliall  at  once  go  into  effect,  and  the  Secretary 
shall  innncdiately  notify  the  Grand  Secretary  thereof; 
and  it  shall  be  final  and  conclusive,  unless  an  appeal  be 
taken  to  the  Grand  Cliaptcr. 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   M.'.E. '.GRAND   CHAPTER.       179 

• 

Sec.  9.  An  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter by  either  party  at  its  next  succeeding  annual  convo- 
cation, but  not  unless  a  notice  of  such  intended  appeal 
shall  be  given  to  the  High  Priest  within  thirty  days  after 
his  announcement  of  the  result  of  the  trial ;  and  in  all 
cases  of  expulsion  or  suspension  the  High  Priest  shall 
cause  the  Secretary  to  prepare  a  transcript  of  the  record 
of  trial,  and  immediately  transmit  it  to  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary, together  with  information  of  the  appeal  intended, 
if  any  there  be. 

AETICLE   XXV. 

OF  REVISIONS   AND   RESTORATIONS. 

Section  1.  All  judgment  from  which  an  appeal  may 
be  taken,  as  hereinbefore  provided,  shall  be  reviewed  in 
the  Grand  Chapter,  or  before  a  committee  thereof,  dur- 
ing its  session,  upon  the  record  sent  up,  and  upon  such 
other  proper  documents  as  may  be  submitted ;  and  its 
decision  shall  be  final  and  conclusive. 

Sec.  2.  All  sentences  of  suspension  shall  be  for  an 
indefinite  period  ;  and  a  Chapter  may,  at  any  stated  meet- 
ing, by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present, 
annul  any  such  sentence  of  suspension  pronounced  by 
itself,  and  restore  the  Mason  thus  suspended  to  -all  his 
Masonic  rights ;  ^jrovided,  that  a  notice  of  a  resolution 
for  such  restoration  shall  have  been  given  at  the  stated 
meeting  next  preceding.  And  in  case  of  such  restora- 
tion, the  Secretary  shall  at  once  notify  the  Grand  Secre- 
tary thereof. 

Sec.  3.  The  Grand  Chapter  may,  at  any  annual  convoca- 
tion, if  good  cause  therefor  be  shown,  restore  a  Mason  who 
has  been  suspended  or  expelled  within  its  jurisdiction  ; 
but  such  restoration  shall  not  restore  him  to  membership 
in  the  Chapter  by  which  he- was  suspended  or  expelled. 

Sec.  4.  No  suspension,  expulsion,  or  restoration  shall 
be  published  otherwise  than  as  hereinbefore  provided, 
except  by  authority  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  by  order 
of  the  Grand  High  Priest. 


180  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OP   MASONIC    LAW. 


Of  Amendments  and  Obligations  of  Office. 
ARTICLE  XXVI. 

OF     AMENDMENTS. 

Section  1.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or 
amended  at  any  annual  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present ; 
but  no  alteration  or  amendment  shall  be  acted  upon  until 
after  its  reference  to  the  Committee  on  Jurisprudence, 
who  shall  report  thereon  as  soon  as  practicable. 

ARTICLE  XXVII. 
OF  obligations  of  office. 
Section  1.  All  officers  of  the  Grand  Chapter  and  of 
its  subordinates,  before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  their 
respective  stations,  shall  take  a  solemn  obligation  that 
they  will  maintain  and  support  the  Constitution  and 
Regulations  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  the  State 
of  California. 


GENERAL     REGULATIONS 


1.  The  Degree  of  Past  Master  must  be  conferred  upon 
all  candidates  who  have  previously  had  the  degree  con- 
ferred upon  them  in  a  convocation  of  Past  Masters,  by 
virtue  of  an  election  to  preside  over  a  Lodge  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons. 

2.  All  the  Chapters  under  this  jurisdiction  arc  re- 
quired, in  the  conferring  of  degrees,  to  conform  to  the 
ritual  adopted  by  the  Grand  Chapter,  at  its  special  con- 
vocation in  September,  1855. 

3.  Every  Mark  Master  attached  to  a  Chapter  under 


GENEEAL    EEGULATIONS.  181 

this  jurisdiction,  must,  within  six  months  after  his  admis- 
sion, select  his  Mark,  and  record  the  same  in  a  Book  of 
Marks,  kept  by  the  Chapter  for  tliat  purpose  ;  and  it  is 
made  the  special  duty  of  the  Secretary  of  each  Chapter 
to  see  that  this  regulation  is  complied  with. 

4.  The  term  "nearest  Chapter,"  used  in  the  Consti- 
tution, means  the  nearest  by  geographical  measurement. 

5.  No  Masonic  communication  shall  he  held  with  a 
Royal  Arch  Mason  who  stands  suspended  as  a  Master 
Mason,  for  any  cause. 

6.  Each  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction  shall  pay, 
in  addition  to  its  annual  dues,  the  sum  of  one  dollar  for 
each  Royal  Arch  Mason  borne  upon  its  roll  at  the  date 
of  its  annual  report,  which  additional  assessment  shall  be 
used  as  a  fund  to  defray  the  actual  expenses  of  one  dele- 
gate from  each  Chapter  represented  at  the  annual  con- 
vocations of  the. Grand  Chapter,  the  same  to  be  appor- 
tioned by  a  special  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 

7.  Whenever  two  or  more  Chapters  exist  in  any  city 
or  town  within  this  jurisdiction,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
such  Chapters  to  notify  the  other  or  others  existing  in 
the  same  place  of  all  applications  presented  to  it  for  the 
degrees. 


EULES   OF    OEDEE 


#tattd  (K\xu\)ttv  0f  ®alif0tttia» 


Rule  1.  When  the  Grand  Chapter  shall  have  assem- 
bled, the  Grand  Secretary  shall  call  the  roll  of  its  mem- 
bers, and  if  a  sufficient  number  of  Chapters  are  repre- 
sented, the  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  opened.  The  Grand 
High  Priest  shall  then  appoint  a  Committee  on  Creden- 
tials, and  no  further  business  shall  be  transacted  until 
after  its  report  shall  have  been  received. 

Rule  2.  After  the  reception  of  the  report  on  Cre- 
dentials, the  proceedings  of  the  preceding  convocation 
shall  be  read  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  unless  their  read- 
ing be  dispensed  with  ;  the  address  of  the  Grand  High 
Priest,  and  the  reports  of  the  Deputy  Grand  High 
Priest,  Grand  Secretary,  and  Grand  Treasurer,  shall  be 
presented,  and  appropriately  referred,  in  the  order  here 
named  ;  and  the  Grand  High  Priest  shall  appoint  the 
regular  committees,  to  whom  all  papers  then  in  the  hands 
of  the  Grand  Secretary  requiring  such  reference,  shall 
be  at  once  referred.  The  Committee  on  Correspondence 
shall  then  present  its  annual  report. 

Rule  3.  After  the  business  of  the  convocation  is  thus 
begun,  the  regular  order  for  each  session,  during  its  con- 
tinuance, shall  be  as  follows  : 

1.  Reading  of  the  minutes  of  the  last  session. 

2.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Credentials. 


RULES  OF  ORDER  OF  THE  M.'.E.'.GRAND  CHAPTER.   183 

3.  Reception  and  action  upon,  or,  reference  of  peti- 
tions, memorials,  and  appeals. 

4.  Reports  of  regular  and  special  committees,  and  ac- 
tion thereupon. 

5.  Motions,  resolutions,  and  other  business. 

Rule  4.  All  reports  submitted,  all  petitions,  memo- 
rials, or  appeals  presented,  and  all  orders,  motions,  or 
resolutions,  shall  be  in  writing,  and  shall  be  read  by  the 
Grand  Secretary,  before  any  action  is  taken  thereuj)on. 

Rule  5.  No  motion  to  reconsider  shall  be  entertained, 
unless  made  during  the  same  session  when  the  question 
proposed  to  be  reconsidered  was  decided,  nor  unless  such 
motion  be  made  by  one  who  voted  with  the  majority  upon 
that  question. 

Rule  6.  When  a  day  and  hour  shall  have  been  named 
for  the  election  of  Grand  Officers,  such  election  shall,  at 
that  time,  take  precedence  of  all  other  business,  unless 
the  Grand  Chapter,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  shall  otherwise 
direct. 

Rule  7.  These  rules  shall  only  be  suspended  by  unan- 
imous consent,  but  may  at  any  time  be  amended  by  a  vote 
of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 


184 


THE   CALIFOENIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 


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LIST    OF    SUBORDINATE    CHAPTERS. 


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24 


GEAND    OFFICEES 

ELECTED  SINCE  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  GRAND  CHAP- 
TER  OF  CALIFORNIA,   JULY  28th,  A.L  2384. 


1854. 

Charles  M.  Radclipp Grand  High  Priest, 

John  D.  Creigh Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

A.  B.  Hoy Grand  King, 

Hugh  G.  Platt Grand  Scribe. 

1855- 

John  Dunbar  Creigh Grand  High  Priest, 

Isaac  Davis Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

William  W.  Traylor Grand  King, 

Leverett  Bradley Grand  Scribe. 

1856. 

Orange  H.  Dibble Grand  High  Priest, 

William  W.  Traylor Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

Whiting  G.  West Grand  King, 

James  A.  Jackson Grand  Scribe. 

1857- 

William  W.  Traylor Grand  High  Priest, 

Thomas  H.  Caswell Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

Whiting  G.  West Grand  King, 

James  A.  Jackson Grand  Scribe. 


LIST    OF    GRAND    OFFICERS.  187 

1858. 

Thomas  H.  Caswell Grand  High  Priest, 

Whiting  G.  West Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

James  A.  Jackson Grand  King, 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Grand  Scribe. 

1859. 

Whiting  G.  West Grand  High  Priest, 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Deput}^  Grand  High  Priest, 

Aaron  D.  Park Grand  King, 

Lewis  Reynolds Grand  Scribe. 

i860. 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Grand  High  Priest, 

Adolphus  Hollub Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

James  W.  Bicknell Grand  King, 

Ezra  Howard  Van  Decar Grand  Scribe. 

1861. 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Grand  High  Priest, 

Adolphus  Hollub Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

Ezra  Howard  Van  Decar Grand  King, 

John  Kirkpatrick .■ Grand  Scribe. 

1862. 

Adolphus  Hollub Grand  High  Priest, 

Ezra  H.  Tan  Decar Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

John  Kirkpatrick Grand  King, 

Charles  Marsh Grand  Scribe. 

1863. 

Ezra  Howard  Yan  Decar Grand  High  Priest, 

John  Kirkpatrick Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

Charles  Marsh Grand  King, 

William  A.  Davies Grand  Scribe. 


188  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

1864. 

Isaac  Davis Grand  High  Priest, 

John  Kirkpatrick Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

Charles  Marsh Grand  King, 

William  A.  Davies Grand  Scribe. 

1865. 

John  Kirkpatrick Grand  High  Priest, 

Charles  Marsh Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

William  A.  Davies Grand  King, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Grand  Scribe. 

1866. 

Charles  Marsh Grand  High  Priest, 

William  A.  Davies Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Grand  King, 

John  W.  Harville Grand  Scribe. 


GRAND    COUNCIL 


ROYAL  iW  SELECT  MASTERS. 


CONSTITUTION 

(1 F     THE 

M.-. P. '.GRAND    COUNCIL 

OF 
OF     THE 

STATE    OF    CALIFORNIA, 

AS     REVISED     AND     ADOPTED     MAY,     A.    DEP.     2862. 


Relative  to  the   Grand  Council. 
ARTICLE  I. 

OF    ITS   TITLE    AND    SEAL. 

Section  1.  This  body  shall  be  entitled  "  The  Grand 
Council  of  Royal  and  Select  Masters  of  the  State 
OF  California,"  and  shall  have  a  Seal,  bearing  suitable 
devices  and  inscriptions,  which  shall  be  affixed  to  all 
instruments  issued  by  or  under  its  authority. 

ARTICLE  II. 

OF   ITS    officers   AND    MEMBERS. 

Section  1.     The  Grand  Council  shall  be  composed  of 


192  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

a  Grand  Master,  a  Deputy  Grand  Master,  a  Grand  Illus- 
trious Master,  a  Grand  Principal  Conductor  of  the  Works, 
a  Grand  Treasurer,  a  Grand  Recorder,  a  Grand  Captain 
of  the  Guard,  a  Grand  Chaplain,  a  Grand  Steward,  a 
Grand  Sentinel  ;  all  Past  Grand  Masters,  Past  Deputy 
Grand  Masters,  Past  Grand  Illustrious  Masters,  Past 
Grand  Principal  Conductors  of  the  Work  ;  all  Thrice 
Illustrious  Masters,  Deputy  Illustrious  Masters,  and  Prin- 
cipal Conductors  of  the  Work  for  the  time  being,  of  the 
several  Councils  under  its  jurisdiction,  and  all  Past  Thrice 
Illustrious  Masters  of  such  Councils,  so  long  as  all  such 
officers  and  past  officers  remain  members  of  any  Council 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Grand  Council. 

ARTICLE  III. 

OF    ITS   POWERS   AND    AUTHORITY. 

Section  1.  This  Grand  Council  has  the  sole  govern- 
ment and  superintendence  of  all  Councils  under  its  juris- 
diction, with  authority  to  settle  all  controversies  that  may 
arise  between  them,  to  assign  their  limits,  to  prescribe 
laws  and  regulations  for  their  government,  and  to  re- 
view, confirm,  or  annul  their  decisions. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  have  power  to  grant  dispensations 
and  charters  for  holding  regular  Councils  within  the 
State  of  California,  or  in  any  other  State  or  Territory  in 
which  there  is  no  Grand  Council  established,  and  may 
revoke,  suspend,  or  annul  the  same. 

Sec.  3.  It  may  assess  and  collect  from  the  several 
Councils  under  its  jurisdiction  such  sums  of  money,  annu- 
ally, as  may  be  found  necessary  for  its  maintenance  and 
support. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

OF   ITS   assemblies. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Council  shall  hold  its  Annual 
Assemblies  at  the  same  place  in  which  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter of  Royal  Arch  Mast)ns  of  the  State  of  California  shall 


CONSTITUTION   OF   THE   M.*. P. '.GRAND    COUNCIL.       193 

annually  convene,  and  on  the  day  preceding  such  Annual 
Convocation.  Special  Assemblies  may  be  ordered  by  the 
Grand  Master,  at  his  discretion,  or  whenever  desired  by 
a  majority  of  the  Councils  under  this  jurisdiction  ;  but 
no  business  shall  be  transacted  thereat  other  than  that 
specified  in  such  order. 

ARTICLE  V. 

OF   ITS  ELECTIONS. 

Section  1.  The  first  six  officers  of  the  Grand  Council 
shall  be  chosen  by  ballot  at  each  Annual  Assembly :  shall 
be  duly  installed  before  the  close  thereof :  and  shall  hold 
their  respective  offices  until  their  successors  are  elected 
and  installed.  A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  shall  be 
necessary  for  a  choice.  The  remaining  officers  shall  be 
appointed  by  the  Grand  Master.  Any  vacancy  in  office 
occurring  when  the  Grand  Council  is  not  in  session  may 
be  filled  by  the  Grand  Master  ;  and  the  officer  so  ap- 
pointed shall  possess  all  the  powers  and  be  charged  with 
all  the  duties  of  one  regularly  elected. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

OF    PROXIES. 

Section  1.  Each  Thrice  Illustrious  Master,  Deputy  Il- 
lustrious Master,  and  Principal  Conductor  of  the  Works 
of  the  Subordinate  Councils  under  this  jurisdiction,  may 
appear  and  vote  by  proxy,  but  such  proxy  must  be  a 
member  of  the  same  Council  with  his  principal. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

OF   VOTING. 

Section  1.  Each  member  of  the  Grand  Council  pres- 
ent shall  be  entitled  to  one  vote,  and  all  questions  shall 
be  determined  by  a  majority  of  votes.  In  all  cases  of  a 
tie  vote,  except  votes  by  ballot,  the  Grand  Master,  in  ad- 
dition to  his  proper  vote,  may  have  the  casting  vote. 

25 


194  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

OF    REVENUE. 

Section  1.  The  revenue  of  the  Grand  Council  shall 
be  derived  from  the  following  sources  : 

For  every  dispensation  to  form  a  new  Council,  the  sum 
of  seventy-five  dollars,  of  which  ten  dollars  shall  be  the 
fee  of  the  Grand  Recorder  ; 

For  every  charter  to  perpetuate  a  new  Council,  the 
sum  of  twenty-five  dollars,  of  which  five  dollars  shall  bo 
the  fee  of  the  Grand  Recorder  ; 

For  each  companion  received  and  greeted,  the  sum  of 
fifty  cents  ;  and 

For  each  member  borne  upon  the  rolls  of  the  subordi- 
nate Councils  at  the  date  of  their  annual  returns,  the 
sum  of  fifty  cents. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

OF    COMMITTEES. 

Section  1.  The  following  regular  committees,  to  con- 
sist of  three  members  each,  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
Grand  Master  at  each  Annual  Assembly,  viz. :  On  Cre- 
dentials, on  Reports  of  the  Grand  Officers,  on  Appeals 
and  Grievances,  on  Finances  and  Returns,  and  on  New 
Councils. 


Of   the     Grand    Officer s . 
ARTICLE  X. 

OP   THE    GRAND    MASTER. 

Section  1 .  The  Grand  Master  shall  have  power,  when 
the  Grand  Council  is  not  in  session,  to  issue  dispensations 
for  the  formation  of  new  Councils,  and  shall,  either  in 
person  or  by  proxy,  constitute  all  new  Councils,  when 
chartered,  and  install  their  officers.  He  may  visit  and 
preside  in  any  Council  within  his  jurisdiction,  inspect  its 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M/. P. -.GRAND    COUNCIL.        195 

proceedings,  and  require  its  conformity  to  Masonic  rule  ; 
and,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Council,  may  exer- 
cise all  its  executive  functions. 

ARTICLE  XI. 

OF  THE  DEPUTY  GRAND  MASTER,  THE  GRAND  ILLUSTRIOUS 
MASTER,  AND  THE  GRAND  PRINCIPAL  CONDUCTOR  OF  THE 
WORKS. 

Section  1.  In  case  of  the  death  of  the  Grand  Master, 
his  absence  from  the  State,  or  of  his  inability  from  any 
cause  to  perform  the  functions  of  his  office,  the  Deputy 
Grand  Master,  the  Grand  Illustrious  Master,  and  the 
Grand  Principal  Conductor  of  the  Works,  shall,  in  the 
order  of  their  rank,  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all 
the  duties  of  that  office. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

OF    THE    GRAND    TREASURER. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Treasurer  shall  receive  all 
moneys  belonging  to  the  Grand  Council  from  the  Grand 
Recorder,  and  shall  pay  the  same  out  under  such  regula- 
tions as  by  it  may  be  provided.  He  shall  keep  a  just  ac- 
count thereof  in  proper  books,  and  at  each  Annual  As- 
sembly shall  present  a  detailed  statement  of  his  receipts 
and  disbursements,  together  with  vouchers  for  the  last, 
and  a  full  statement  of  the  existing  condition  of  the 
finances. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

OF    THE    GRAND    RECORDER. 

Section  1.  The  Grand  Recorder  shall  keep  an  accu- 
rate record  of  all  the  transactions  of  the  Grand  Council 
which  should  be  written.  He  shall  collect  the  revenue, 
and  pay  it  over  to  the  Grand  Treasurer.  He  shall  pre- 
sent a  detailed  report  of  his  receipts  and  of  all  business 
appertaining  to  his  office,  at  each  Annual  Assembly.  He 
shall  keep  the  Seal  of  the  Grand  Council,  and  shall  affix 
it  with  his  attestation,  to  all  instruments  emanating  from 


196  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

that  body,  and  to  all  dispensations  issued  by  the  Grand 
Master.  He  shall  report  at  each  Annual  Assembly  all 
unfinished  business  ;  shall  conduct  the  correspondence 
of  the  Grand  Council  ;  and  shall  perform  such  other  du- 
ties as  may  be  assigned  him  by  the  Grand  Council  or 
Grand  Master.  He  shall  receive  such  compensation  for 
his  services  as  the  Grand  Council  may  direct. 


Of  Subordinate   Councils. 
ARTICLE  XIV. 

OF    THEIR    FORMATION. 

Section  1.  Upon  the  petition  of  nine  or  more  Royal 
Select  Masters,  in  good  standing,  the  Grand  Council,  or 
the  Grand  Master,  may  issue  a  Letter  of  Dispensation, 
authorizing  them  to  form  and  open  a  Council  of  Royal 
and  Select  Masters,  and  to  hold  the  same  until  the  next 
Annual  Assembly.  But  no  such  dispensation  shall  issue 
unless  the  petition  be  accompanied  by  a  recommendation 
from  the  Council  nearest  or  most  convenient  to  the  loca- 
tion of  the  proposed  new  one,  which  shall  certify  to  the 
good  standing  of  each  of  the  petitioners,  to  the  proper 
qualifications  of  the  officers  whom  they  have  nominated, 
and  that  a  suitable  place  of  assembling  has  been  pro- 
vided. The  dis])ensation,  thus  issued,  shall  be  returned 
at  the  next  Annual  Assembly,  together  with  the  Book  of 
Records,  By-laws,  and  Returns,  Avlien,  if  the  transactions 
of  the  New  Council  shall  appear  satisfactory,  it  may, 
upon  petition,  receive  a  charter. 

Sec.  2.  A  Council  shall  consist  of  a  Thrice  Illustri- 
ous Master,  a  Deputy  Illustrious  Master,  a  Principal 
Conductor  of  the  Works,  a  Treasurer,  a  Recorder,  a 
Captain  of  the  Guards,  a  Conductor,  a  Marshal,  a  Stew- 
ard, a  Sentinel,  and  as  many  members  as  may  be  found 
convenient. 


CONSTITUTION    OF    THE    M. '.P. '.GRAND    COUNCIL.        197 

ARTICLE   XV. 

OF     THEIR     DUTIES. 

Section  1.  Each  Council  shuU  hold  a  stated  assembly 
at  least  once  in  each  month  for  the  transaction  of  its  reg- 
ular business.  Special  meetings  may  be  ordered  by  the 
Thrice  Illustrious  Master,  at  his  discretion.  A  failure  to 
assemble  for  six  successive  months  shall  be  deemed  suf- 
ficient cause  for  the  arrest  or  revocation  of  the  charter. 

Sec.  2.  The  first  five  officers  of  each  Council  shall  be 
chosen  by  ballot  at  the  stated  meeting  next  preceding 
the  Anniversary  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  and  shall  be 
installed  as  soon  thereafter  as  convenient.  A  majority 
of  all  the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary  for  a  choice. 
The  other  officers  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Thrice  II- 
histrious  Master. 

Sec.  3.  The  returns  of  each  Council  shall  be  made 
up  to  and  including  the  last  day  of  February  in  each 
year,  and  shall  be  forwarded  Avithin  fifteen  days  there- 
after, with  the  annual  dues,  to  the  Grand  Recorder. 

Sec.  4.  The  returns  to  the  Grand  Council  shall  con- 
tain the  names  of  all  the  members,  alphabetically  ar- 
ranged, the  names  of  the  Lodges  and  Chapters  of  which 
they  may  be  members,  the  names  of  the  Councils  to 
which  those  who  have  affiliated  during  the  year  last  be- 
longed, and  such  other  particulars  as  may  be  prescribed 
by  the  Grand  Recorder. 

ARTICLE   XVI. 

OF  fees  and  dues. 
Section  1.  No  Council  under  this  jurisdiction  shall 
confer  the  degrees  for  a  less  sum  than  fifteen  dollars, 
which  fee  must  invariably  accompany  the  petition.  The 
dues  of  the  members  of  each  Council  shall  be  such  as 
may  be  provided  in  its  By-laws,  and  the  non-payment  of 
such  dues  for  a  period  of  twelve  months,  unless  a  good 
reason  therefor  be  shown,  shall  be  punished  by  suspen- 
sion. 


198  THE    CALIFOENIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW.  . 

ARTICLE   XYII. 

OF    PKOHIBITIONS. 

Section  1.  No  Council  shall  confer  the  degrees  of 
Royal  and  Select  Master  upon  any  one  who  is  not  a 
Royal  Arch  Mason  in  good  standing. 

Sec.  2.  There  shall  not  be  a  greater  number  of  Coun- 
cils established  in  this  State  than  there  are  Royal  Arch 
Chapters,  nor  more  than  one  Council  within  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  a  Chapter. 

ARTICLE   XVIII. 

OF   TRIALS    AND    APPEALS. 

Section  1.  The  mode  of  proceeding  in  all  trials,  shall, 
as  nearly  as  may  be,  be  that  which  is  now  or  may  here- 
after be  prescribed  in  the  Regulations  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  of  this  State  ;  and 
appeals  from  the  results  of  such  trials  may,  in  like  man- 
ner as  is  directed  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  be  made  to  and 
adjudicated  by  the  Grand  Council. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

Section  1.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amend- 
ed at  any  Annual  Assembly  by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of 
the  members  present. 


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.    GRAND    COMMANDERY 


OP 


KNIGHTS    TEMPLAR. 


STATUTES 


(Saiul  fflammatuli^nj  of  §m\\t$  ®mptof, 


STATE    OF    CALIFORNIA. 


CHAPTER  I. 

RELATIVE  TO   THE   GRAND  COMMANDERY. 
I. 

Of  its  Title  and  Seal. 
This  body  shall  be  entitled  "  The  Grand  Commandery 
OF  Knights  Templar  of  the  State  of  California";  and 
shall  have  a  Seal,  bearing  suitable  devices  and  inscrip- 
tions, which  shall  be  affixed  to  all  instruments  issued  by 
or  under  its  authority. 

II. 
Of  its  Officers  and  Members. 
The  Grand  Commandery  shall  be  composed  of  a  Grand 
Commander  (whose  address  is  Bight  Eminent) ;  a  Dep- 
uty Grand  Commander  (whose  address  is  Vei-y  Eminent) ; 
a  Grand  Generalissimo  ;  a  Grand  Captain  General  ;  a 
Grand  Prelate  ;  a  Grand  Senior  Warden  ;  a  Grand  Jun- 
ior Warden  ;  a  Grand  Treasurer  ;  a  Grand  Recorder  ;  a 


204  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

Grand  Standard  Bearer ;  a  Grand  Sword  Bearer ;  a 
Grand  Warder  (whose  several  addresses  are  Eminent)  ; 
a  Grand  Captain  of  the  Guards  (the  Sentinel)  ;  all  Past 
Grand  Commanders,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Commanders, 
Past  Grand  Generalissimos,  and  Past  Grand  Captains 
General  of  this  Grand  Commandery ;  all  Past  Command- 
ers, by  service,  of  chartered  Commanderies  under  its 
jurisdiction  ;  and  the  Commanders,  Generalissimos,  and 
Captains  General,  for  the  time,  of  the  several  chartered 
and  duly  constituted  Commanderies  subordinate  thereto. 

III. 

Of  Qualifications  for  Office  or  Membership. 

Every  officer  and  member  of  the  Grand  Commandery 
must  be  a  member  of  some  Commandery  under  its  juris- 
diction ;  and  with  the  suspension  or  cessation  of  such 
membership,  shall  cease  his  office  and  membership  in 
the  Grand  Commandery. 

IV. 

Of  its  Powers  and  Authority. 

The  Grand  Commandery  derives  all  its  powers  from 
the  Grand  Encampment  of  Knights  Templar  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  to  the  Constitution  and  Reg- 
ulations of  which  its  obedience  is  ever  due.  Under 
these  powers  it  has  authority  over  all  Commanderies 
and  Knights  Templar  within  the  State  of  California. 
It  may  grant  Dispensations  and  Charters  for  forming 
and  holding  Commanderies  therein,  and,  at  its  pleasure, 
may  arrest,  suspend,  or  revoke  them.  It  may  enact  such 
statutes  and  pass  such  orders,  for  its  own  government 
and  for  that  of  its  subordinates  and  the  Knights  within 
its  jurisdiction,  as  shall  not  conflict  with  the  Constitution 
and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Encampment ;  may  alter, 
amend,  or  annul  the  same  ;  and  may  exercise  all  other 
authority  which  shall  be  deemed  necessary  for  the  good 


STATUTES   OP   THE   GRAND    COMMANDERY.  205 

of  tbe  Order  in  this  State,  and  which  shall  be  in  con- 
formity with  its  precepts  and  the  Constitution  and  Reg- 
ulations of  the  Grand  Encampment. 

V. 

Of  its  Conclaves. 

The  Grand  Commandery  shall  hold  an  Annual  Con- 
clave, for  the  transaction  of  its  regular  business,  at  the 
City  of  San  Francisco,  commencing  on  the  second  Tues- 
day in  November,  at  10  o'clock,  a.m.  Special  Conclaves 
may  be  ordered  by  the  Grand  Commander,  at  his  discre- 
tion, but  no  business  shall  be  transacted  thereat  other 
than  that  specified  in  such  order. 

VI. 

Of  its  Elections. 

The  officers  of  the  Grand  Commandery  shall  be  chosen 
by  ballot  at  each  Annual  Conclave  ;  shall  be  duly  installed 
before  the  close  thereof ;  and  shall  hold  their  respective 
offices  (except  as  hereinbefore  provided)  until  their  suc- 
cessors are  elected  and  installed.  A  majority  of  all  the 
votes  cast  shall  be  necessary  for  a  choice.  Any  vacancy 
in  office  occurring  when  the  Grand  Commandery  is  not 
in  Conclave,  may  be  filled  by  the  Grand  Commander  ; 
and  the  officer  so  appointed  shall  possess  all  the  pow- 
ers and  be  charged  with  all  the  duties  of  one  regularly 
elected. 

VII. 

Of  Proxies. 

Any  member  of  the  Grand  Commandery,  except  Past 
Commanders  and  the  Grand  Captain  of  the  Guards,  may 
appear  and  vote  by  proxy  ;  but  such  proxy  must,  at  the 
time  of  service,  be  a  member  of  the  same  Commandery 
as  his  principal,  and  must  present  a  properly  authentica- 
ted certificate  of  his  appointment. 


200  THE    CALIFOBNIA    DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

VIII. 

Of  Voting. 

Each  member  of  the  Grand  Commandery  present  shall 
be  entitled  to  one  vote,  and  all  questions  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  a  majority  of  votes.  In  case  the  votes  are 
equally  divided,  the  Grand  Commander,  in  addition  to 
his  proper  vote,  shall  give  the  casting  vote. 

IX. 

Of  Revenue. 

The  revenue  of  the  Grand  Commandery  shall  be  de- 
rived from  fees  charged  for  Dispensations,  Charters, 
Diplomas,  andother  instruments  issued  under  its  author- 
ity, as  follows  : 

1.  For  a  Dispensation,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
dollars,  of  which  fifteen  dollars  shall  be  the  fee  of  the 
Grand  Recorder  : 

2.  For  a  Charter,  seventy-five  dollars,  of  which  fifteen 
dollars  shall  be  the  fee  of  the  Grand  Recorder  : 

3.  For  a  Diploma,  five  dollars,  of  which  three  dollars 
shall  be  the  fee  of  the  Grand  Recorder  : 

And  from  the  following  contributions  levied  upon  the 
several  Commanderies — 

1.  For  each  Order  of  the  Red  Cross  conferred,  two 
dollars  : 

2.  For  each  Order  of  the  Temple  conferred,  three  dol- 
lars : 

3.  For  each  Knight  Templar  borne  upon  the  rolls  at 
the  date  of  the  annual  returns,  one  dollar. 


Of  Committees. 

The  following  regular  committees,  to  consist  of  three 
members  each,  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Grand  Com- 
mander at  each  Annual  Conclave,  viz.  :    On  Credentials, 


STATUTES    OF   THE   GEAND    COMMANDERY.  207 

on  Reports  of  the  Grand  Officers,  on  Appeals  and  Griev- 
ances, on  Finances  and  Accounts,  on  New  Commanderies, 
and  on  Returns  of  Subordinates.  The  Grand  Commander 
may  also  appoint  such  special  committees,  at  any  Con- 
clave, as  may  be  deemed  expedient  by  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery. 


CHAPTER  II. 

RELATIVE  TO   THE  GRAND   OFFICERS. 

XI. 

Of  the  Grand  Commander. 

The  Grand  Commander  shall,  at  each  Annual  Conclave, 
present  a  written  report  of  all  his  official  acts  during 
the  year,  and  of  the  condition  of  the  Order  within  his 
jurisdiction,  together  with  such  recommendations  as  he 
shall  deem  conducive  to  its  prosperity  and  advancement. 
He  shall  have  a  watchful  supervision  over  the  subordi- 
nate Commanderies,  and  shall  carefully  see  that  the  Con- 
stitution and  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Encampment, 
and  the  Statutes  and  Orders  of  the  Grand  Commandery, 
are  duly  and  promptly  observed.  He,  shall  have  power, 
when  the  Grand  Commandery  is  not  in  conclave,  to  issue 
Dispensations  for  the  formation  of  new  Commanderies, 
as  hereinafter  provided ;  and  shall,  either  in  person  or 
by  proxy,  constitute  all  new  Commanderies,  when  char- 
tered, and  install  their  officers.  He  may,  for  good  reasons 
shown,  issue  Special  Dispensations  to  Commanderies,  au- 
thorizing them  to  hold  elections  of  officers  at  times  other 
than  that  named  in  the  twentieth  of  these  Statutes  ;  to  re- 
ceive and  act  again  upon  the  petitions  of  rejected  appli- 
cants for  the  Orders  of  Knighthood,  within  a  less  period 
than  the  twelve  months  prescribed  in  the  twenty-second 
of  these  Statutes  ;  to  ballot  for  and  confer  the  orders  upon 
candidates,  without  the  reference  of  their  petitions  to 
committees  ;  and  to  do  such  other  things,  not  specifically 


208  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

provided  for,  as  shall  not  be  repugnant  to  or  inconsistent 
with  the  general  regulations  of  the  Order.  He  may  order 
Special  Conclaves,  at  his  discretion,  specifying  the  object 
thereof.  He  may  visit  and  preside  in  any  Commandery 
within  his  jurisdiction,  and  give  such  orders  and  instruc- 
tions as  he  may  deem  necessary,  and  as  shall  not  be  in- 
consistent with  the  enactments  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment and  Grand  Commandery.  He  may  arrest  the 
Charter  or  Dispensation  of  any  Commandery  for  good 
reasons  shown,  and  for  proper  cause  may  suspend  any 
Commander  from  the  functions  of  his  office  until  the  next 
Annual  Conclave.  It  shall  be  his  duty,  either  in  person 
or  by  proxy,  to  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Grand  En- 
campment ;  and  there  shall  be  no  appeal  to  the  Grand 
Commandery  from  his  decisions. 

XII. 
Of  the  Deputy  Grand  Commander. 

The  Deputy  Grand  Commander,  in  the  absence  of  the 
Grand  Commander  from  any  conclave,  shall  take  com- 
mand ;  and,  in  the  event  of  the  death,  absence  from  the 
State,  or  inability  to  serve,  from  any  cause,  of  the  Grand 
Commander,  he  shall  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all 
the  powers  and  duties  of  that  officer.  At  all  other  times 
he  shall  perform  such  duties  as  may  be  assigned  him  by 
the  Grand  Commandery  or  Grand  Commander  ;  and  he 
is  required,  either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  to  attend  all 
meetings  of  the  Grand  Encampment. 

XIII. 
Of  the  Grand  Generalissimo  and  the  Grand  Captain  General. 

The  Grand  Generalissimo  and  Grand  Captain  General, 
in  the  absence  of  their  superiors  from  any  conclave, 
shall  severally  take  command,  in  the  order  of  their  rank ; 
and  in  the  event  of  the  death,  removal  from  the  State, 
or  inability  to  serve,  from  any  cause,  of  their  superiors, 


STATUTES    OF   THE    GRAND    COMMANDERY.  209 

shall  in  like  manner  succeed  to  and  be  charged  with  all 
the  powers  and  duties  of  the  Grand  Commander.  At 
all  other  times  they  shall  perform  such  duties  as  may  be 
assigned  them  by  the  Grand  Commandery  or  Grand 
Commander  ;  and  they  are  required,  either  in  person  or 
by  proxy,  to  attend  all  meetings  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment. 

XIV. 
Of  the  Grand  Treasurer. 

The  Grand  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  moneys  belong- 
ing to  the  Grand  Commandery  from  the  Grand  Recorder, 
and  shall  pay  the  same  out  under  such  regulations  as  by 
it  may  be  provided.  He  shall  keep  a  just  record  thereof 
in  proper  books,  and  at  each  Annual  Conclave  shall  pre- 
sent a  detailed  account  of  his  receipts  and  disbursements, 
together  with  vouchers  for  the  last,  and  a  full  statement 
of  the  existing  condition  of  the  finances.  He  shall  exe- 
cute and  file  with  the  Grand  Recorder,  within  fifteen 
days  after  his  installation,  a  bond,  in  such  terms,  in  such 
penal  sum,  and  with  such  sureties,  as  shall  be  approved 
by  the  Grand  Commander,  conditioned  that  he  will  faith- 
fully discharge  the  duties  of  his  office. 

XV. 
Of  the  Grand  Recorder. 

The  Grand  Recorder  shall  keep  an  accurate  record  of 
all  the  transactions  of  the  Grand  Commandery,  which 
should  be  written.  He  shall  collect  the  revenue,  and 
pay  it  over  to  the  Grand  Treasurer.  He  shall  present  a 
detailed  report  of  his  receipts,  and  of  all  business  apper- 
taining to  his  office,  at  each  Annual  Conclave.  He  shall, 
as  soon  as  practicable,  after  each  Annual  Conclave,  trans- 
mit copies  of  the  transactions  thereat  to  the  Grand  Mas- 
ter of  the  Order,  the  Grand  Recorder  of  the  Grand 
Encampment,  the  Grand  Recorders  of  the  several  Grand 
Commanderies  under  the  jurisdiction  of  that  body,  and 
27 


210  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

the  Recorders  of  the  several  Comraanderies  within  this 
jurisdiction.  He  shall  keep  the  Seal  of  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery,  and  shall  affix  it,  with  his  attestation,  to  all 
instruments  emanating  from  that  body,  and  to  all  Dis- 
pensations issued  by  the  Grand  Commander.  He  shall 
conduct  the  correspondence  of  the  Grand  Commandery, 
and  shall  present  at  each  Annual  Conclave  a  summary 
of  such  proceedings  of  other  Grand  Commanderies  as 
may  have  come  into  his  possession.  He  shall  report  at 
each  Annual  Conclave  all  unfinished  business,  and  shall 
perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  assigned  him  by 
the  Grand  Commandery  or  Grand  Commander.  He 
shall  receive  such  compensation  for  his  services  as  the 
Grand  Commandery  may  direct ;  and  shall  execute  and 
file  with  the  Grand  Treasurer,  within  fifteen  days  after 
his  installation,  a  bond,  in  such  terms,  in  such  penal 
sum,  and  with  such  sureties,  as  shall  be  approved  by  the 
Grand  Commander,  conditioned  that  he  will  faithfully 
discharge  the  duties  of  his  office. 

XVI. 

Of  the  other  Grand  Officers. 

The  duties  of  the  remaining  Grand  Officers  shall  be 
such  as  traditionally  appertain  to  their  respective  sta- 
tions, and  shall  correspond,  as  nearly  as  may  be,  to  those 
of  the  officers  of  similar  rank  in  the  Grand  Encampment. 
In  case  all  the  four  principal  Grand  Officers  shall  be  ab- 
sent from  any  conclave,  the  Past  Grand  Officers  of  like 
rank,  shall,  iu  the  order  of  their  rank  and  seniority,  be 
empowered  to  take  command. 


STATUTES    OF   THE   GRAND    COMMANDERY.  211 

CHAPTER   III. 

RELATIVE  TO   SUBORDINATE  COMMANDERIES. 
XVII. 
Of  their  Formation. 
Upon  the  petition  of  nine  or  more  Knights  Templar, 
in  good  standing,  the  Grand  Commandery,  or  the  Grand 
Commander,  may  issue  a  Letter  of  Dispensation,  author^ 
izing  them  to  form  and  open  a  Commandery  of  Knights 
Templar,  and  to  hold  the  same  until  the  next  Annual 
Conclave.     But  no  such  dispensation  shall  issue  unless 
the  petition  be  accompanied  by  a  recommendation  from 
the   Commanderv  nearest  the  location  of  the  proposed 
new  one,  which  shall  certify  to  the  good  standing  of  each 
of  the  petitioners,  to  the  proper   qualifications  of  the 
officers  whom  they  have  nominated,  and  that  a  suitable 
place  of  assembling  has  been  provided.     The  dispensa- 
tion, thus  issued,  shall  be  returned  at  the  next  Annual 
Conclave,  together  with  the  Books  of  Records,  By-laws, 
and  Returns,  Avhen,  if  the  transactions  of  the  new  Com- 
mandery shall  appear  satisfactory,  it  may,  upon  petition, 
receive  a  Charter. 

XVIII. 
Of  whom  Composed. 
A  Commandery  consists  of  a  Commander  (whose  ad- 
dress is  Eminent),  a  Generahssimo,  a  Captain  General,  a 
Prelate,  a  Senior  Warden,  a  Junior  Warden,  a  Treasurer, 
a  Recorder,  a  Standard  Bearer,  a  Sword  Bearer,  a  Warder, 
a  Captain  of  the  Guards  (the  Sentinel),  three  Guards, 
and  as  many  members  as  may  be  found  convenient  for 
work  or  discipline. 

XIX. 
Of  Assemblies. 
Each  Commandery  should  hold  a  stated  Assembly  at 
least  once  in  each  month,  for  the  transaction  of  its  reg- 


212  THE    CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

ular  business.  Special  meetings  may  be  ordered  by  the 
Commander,  at  his  discretion,  but  no  business  shall  be 
done  thereat  other  than  that  specified  in  the  order.  A 
failure  to  assemble  for  six  successive  months,  shall  be 
deemed  sufficient  cause  for  the  arrest  or  revocation  of 
its  Charter. 

XX. 

Of  Elections. 

The  officers  of  each  Commandery  (except  the  Sentinel 
and  Guards,  who  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Commander), 
shall  be  chosen  by  ballot  at  the  first  stated  Assembly  in 
the  month  of  March  in  each  year,  and  shall  be  installed 
before  or  at  the  next  stated  Assembly.  A  majority  of 
all  the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary  for  a  choice. 

XXI. 

Of  Voting. 

All  questions  in  a  Commandery  shall  be  determined 
by  a  majority  of  votes.  Each  member  present  shall  be 
entitled  to  one  vote,  and  when  the  votes  are  equally 
divided  (except  in  elections),  the  Commander  shall,  in 
addition,  have  the  casting  vote. 

XXII. 
Of  Qualifications  for  the  Order. 

No  Commandery  shall  confer  an  Order  of  Knighthood 
upon  any  one  who  is  not  a  regular  oyal  Arch  Mason, 
according  to  the  requirements  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  of  the  United  States  of  America,  nor  unless  he 
shall  have  produced  evidence  of  his  good  standing  at 
the  time  of  appHcation  ;  and  no  application  for  the 
Orders  shall  be  received  by  any  Commandery,  from  one 
who  within  twelve  months  next  preceding  shall  have 
been  rejected  by  any  Commandery  (unless  by  dispensa- 
tion from  the  Grand  Commander),  nor  unless  the  appli- 
cant shall  have  resided  one  year  next  preceding  in  this 


STATUTES   OF   THE   GRAND    COMMANDERY.  213 

State  and  three  months  next  preceding  within  its  juris- 
diction, except  by  permission  of  the  Commandery  near- 
est his  place  of  residence. 

XXIII. 
Of  Fees  and  Dues. 
No  Commandery  shall  confer  the  several  Orders  of 
Knighthood  for  a  less  fee  than  sixty  dollars,  and  no  appli- 
cation therefor  shall  be  received  unless  accompanied  by 
such  fee.     The  dues  of  the  members  of  each  Command- 
ery shall  be  such  as  may  be  provided  in  its  By-laAvs,  and 
the  non-payment  of  such  dues  for  a  period  of  six  months 
unless  good  reason  therefor  be  shown,  shall  be  punished 
by  suspension. 

XXIV. 
Of  the  Commander. 
Each  Commander  has  it  in  special  charge  to  see  that 
the  By-laws  of  his  Commandery,  the  Statutes  and  Orders 
of  the  Grand  Commandery,  and  the  Constitution  and  Reg- 
ulations of  the  Grand  Encampment,  are  duly  observed 
by  the  Knights  under  his  command;  that  accurate  rec- 
ords are  kept,  and  just  accounts  and  proper  reports 
rendered  by  his  officers  ;  and  that  regular  returns  are 
annually  made  to  the  Grand  Commandery  at  the  time 
prescribed  therefor,  with  prompt  payment  of  the  annual 
dues.     From  his  decisions  there  shall  be  no  appeal  to 
the  Commandery,  but  any  five  members  thereof  may 
complain  of  his  decisions  or  conduct  to  the  Grand  Com- 
mandery or  Grand  Commander.     It  shall  be  his  duty 
either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  to  attend  all  conclaves  ot 
the  Grand  Commandery. 

XXV. 
Of  the  Generalissimo  and  Captain  General. 
The  Generalissimo  and  Captain  General  shall  perform 
the  duties  severally  assigned  them  by  the  traditional 


214  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

usages  of  the  Order  ;  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  Com- 
mander, shall,  in  the  order  of  their  rank,  succeed  to  and 
be  charged  with  all  his  powers  and  duties.  It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  both,  either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  to  attend 
all  Conclaves  of  the  Grand  Commandery.  In  the  absence 
of  all  the  three  principal  officers,  the  Past  Commanders, 
in  the  order  of  their  seniority,  may  take  command. 

XXVI. 
Of  the  Treasurer  and  Recorder. 

The  Treasurer  shall  receive  from  the  Recorder  and 
safely  keep  all  moneys  belonging  to  the  Commandery  ; 
and  shall  pay  the  same  out  under  such  regulations,  and 
account  therefor  at  such  times  and  in  such  manner,  as 
by  it  may  be  prescribed.  The  Recorder  shall  keep  an 
accurate  record  of  all  the  transactions  of  the  Command- 
ery, which  should  be  Avritten,  including  a  list  of  the  offi- 
cers, members,  and  visitors  present  at  each  Assembly  ; 
shall  collect  the  revenue  and  pay  it  over  to  the  Treas- 
urer ;  shall  keep  correct  accounts  of  the  dues  of  mem- 
bers ;  shall  prepare  and  transmit  the  annual  returns  to 
the  Grand  Recorder  ;  shall  keep  the  seal  of  the  Com- 
mandery, and  affix  it  to  all  documents  emanating  there- 
from :  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be 
required  of  him  by  the  Commandery  or  Commander. 

XXVII. 
Of  Returns. 

The  returns  of  each  Commandery  shall  be  made  up  to 
the  first  day  of  October  in  each  year,  in  such  form  as 
shall  be  prescribed  by  the  Grand  Commandery  ;  and 
shall  immediately  be  forwarded  to  the  Grand  Recorder, 
with  the  dues  as  hereinbefore  provided. 


STATUTES   OF   THE   GRAND    COMMANDERY.  215 

CHAPTER  IV. 

MISCELLANEO.US. 

XXVIII. 

Trials  and  Appeals. 

The  mode  of  proceeding  in  all  trials  shall,  as  nearly  as 
may  be,  be  that  which  is  now  or  may  hereafter  be  pre- 
scribed in  the  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons  of  this  State  ;  and  appeals  from 
the  results  of  such  trials  may,  in  like  manner  as  is  di- 
rected by  the  Grand  Lodge,  be  made  to  and  adjudicated 
by  the  Grand  Commandery. 

XXIX, 
Of  Penalties. 

Censure,  suspension,  or  expulsion  may  be  inflicted  by 
any  Commandery  upon  any  Knight  within  its  jurisdic- 
tion, for  unknightly  conduct  or  for  violation  of  or  dis- 
obedience to  any  of  the  By-laws,  Statutes,  Orders,  Reg- 
ulations, or  Constitutions  of  the  Order.  Information  of 
a  suspension  or  expulsion  by  any  Commandery,  shall 
immediately  be  communicated  by  its  Recorder  to  the 
Recorder  of  each  other  Commandery  in  the  State,  and  to 
the  Grand  Recorder  ;  but  no  publication  thereof  shall  be 
made  except  by  the  Grand  Commandery.  Suspension 
may  be  removed  by  the  Commandery  which  imposed  it, 
but  an  expelled  Knight  can  only  be  restored  by  the 
Grand  Commandery. 

XXX. 

Of  Voivs  of  Office. 

All  officers  of  the  Grand  Commandery  and  of  its  sub- 
ordinates, before  entering  upon  the  duties  of  their  re- 
spective stations,  shall  take  a  solemn  vow  that  they  will 
maintain  and  support  the   Constitution  and  Regulations 


216  THE   CALIFOENIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  Knights  Templar  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  the  Statutes  and  Orders 
of  the  Grand  Coramandery  of  the  State  of  California. 

XXXI. 
Of  Amendments. 

These  Statutes  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any 
Annual  Conclave  by  the  votes  of  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers present. 


EULES  OF  OEDER 

OF    THE 


Rule  1.  When  the  Grand  Comnianclery  is  opened, 
the  Grand  Recorder  shall  call  the  roll  of  its  members, 
and  note  the  names  of  those  who  may  be  present.  The 
Grand  Commander  shall  then  appoint  a  Committee  on 
Credentials,  and  no  further  business  shall  be  transacted 
until  after  its  report  shall  have  been  received. 

Rule  2.  After  the  reception  of  the  report  on  Cre- 
dentials, the  proceedings  of  the  preceding  Conclave 
shall  be  read  by  the  Grand  Recorder,  unless  their  read- 
ing be  dispensed  with  ;  the  reports  of  the  Grand  Com- 
mander, the  Grand  Recorder,  and  the  Grand  Treasurer, 
shall  be  presented  and  appropriately  referred,  in  the 
order  here  named  ;  and  the  Grand  Commander  shall 
appoint  the  regular  committees,  to  whom  all  papers  then 
in  the  hands  of  the  Grand  Recorder,  requiring  such 
reference,  shall  at  once  be  referred. 

Rule  3.  After  the  business  of  the  Conclave  is  thus 
begun,  the  regular  order  for  each  session  during  its  con- 
tinuance shall  be  as  follows  :  1st.  Reading  of  the  minutes 
of  the  last  session  ;  2d.  Reception  and  action  upon  or 
reference  of  petitions,  memorials,  and  appeals  ;  3d.  Re- 
portp  of  regular  and  special  committees,  in  the  order 
named,  and  action  thereupon  ;  5th.  Motions,  resolutions, 
and  other  business. 

28 


218  THE    CALIFORNIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW, 

Rule  4.  All  reports  submitted,  all  petitions,  memo- 
rials, or  appeals  presented,  and  all  orders,  motions,  or 
resolutions  proposed,  shall  be  in  writing,  and  shall  be 
read  from  the  desk  of  the  Grand  Recorder,  before  any 
action  is  taken  thereupon. 

Rule  5.  No  member  shall  be  allowed  to  speak  more 
than  twice  upon  the  same  subject,  nor  more  than  ten 
minutes  at  either  time,  except  by  special  permission  of 
the  Grand  Commandery. 

Rule  6.  No  motion  to  reconsider  shall  be  entertained, 
unless  made  during  the  same  session  when  the  questiori 
proposed  to  be  reconsidered  was  decided,  nor  unless  of- 
fered by  one  who  voted  with  the  majority  upon  that 
question. 

Rule  7.  When  a  day  and  hour  shall  have  been  named 
for  the  election  of  Grand  Officers,  such  election  shall,  at 
that  time,  take  precedence  of  all  other  business,  unless 
the  Grand  Commandery,  by  a  two-thirds  vote,  shall  oth- 
erwise direct. 

Rule  8.  These  rules  shall  only  be  suspended  by 
unanimous  consent,  but  may  at  any  time  be  amended  by 
a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members  present. 


LIST    OP    COMMANDERIES. 


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GKAND    OFFICEES 

ELECTED  SINCE  THE   ORGANIZATION   OF  THE   GRAND  COM- 
MANDERY  OF  CALIFORNIA,   AUGUST  10th,  A.D.  1S58. 


1858. 

Isaac  Davis Grand  Commander, 

Leander  Ransom Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

John  S.  Graham Grand  Generalissimo, 

Stillman  H.  Fickett Grand  Captain  General. 

1859. 

Leander  Ransom Grand  Commander. 

James  Lawrence  English  . .  Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

John  S.  Graham Grand  Generalissimo, 

Charles  Marsh Grand  Captain  General. 

i860. 

James  Lawrence  English Grand  Commander, 

Charles  Marsh Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

Aaron  D.  Park Grand  Generalissimo, 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Grand  Captain  General. 

1861. 

Alexander  Gurdon  Abell Grand  Connnander, 

Charles  Marsh Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Grand  Generalissimo, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Grand  Captain  General. 


LIST    OF    GRAND    OFFICERS.  221 

1862. 

Charles  Marsh Grand  Commander, 

Henry  Hare  Hartley  ....  Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Grand  Generalissimo, 

James  Horace  Culver Grand  Captain  General. 

1863. 

Henry  Hare  Hartley Grand  Commander, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

William  Caldwell  Belcher  ....  Grand  Generalissimo, 
Reuel  C.  Gridley Grand  Captain  General. 

1864. 

William  Caldwell  Belcher Grand  Commander, 

William  Mason  Rundell.  .Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

Thomas  Callow Grand  Generalissimo, 

Theodore  F.  Tracy Grand  Captain  General. 

1865. 

Henry  Holcombe  Rhees Grand  Commander, 

William  Mason  Rundell.  .Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

Theodore  F.  Tracy Grand  Generalissimo, 

William  Wilson  Traylor  ....  Grand  Captain  General. 

1866. 

William  Mason  Rundell Grand  Commander, 

Isaac  S.  Titus Deputy  Grand  Commander, 

William  Wilson  Traylor Grand  Generalissimo, 

Thomas  Hubbard  Caswell Grand  Captain  General. 


I  ]sr  D  E  X 


PAGE. 

By-laws  ok  the  Graxd  Lodge  of  Califounia 89 

Uniform  code  of ^^ 

Chapters,  list  of  subordinate 184 

CHARGES   OF   A  FREEMASON 5 

Of   behavior  after  the  Lodge  is  over  and  the  brethren  not 

gone If* 

at  home,  and  in  your  neighborhood 11 

in  presence  of  strangers  not  Masons H 

in  the  Lodge  while  constituted 9 

toward  a  strange  brother    H 

when  brethren  meet  without  strangers,  but  not 

in  a  Lodge  formed 10 

Of  Lodges 6 

Of  Masters,  Wardens,  Fellows,  and  Apprentices 7 

Of  the  civil  magistrate,  supreme  and  subordinate 6 

Of  the  management  of  the  craft  in  working 8 

Code  of  Resolutions.  Decisions,  etc.,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Cali- 
fornia   93 

CoMMANDERiES,  list  of  Subordinate 219 

CoMMANDERY,  Statutes  of  Grand 201 

CONSTITUTION    OF    GR.\ND    CHAPTER    OF    ROYAL  ARCH 

MASONS 155 

General  Regulations  of  the  Gpand  Chapter 180 

Of  amendments  and  obligations  of  office 180 

Of  the  Grand  Officers — 

Of  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest 163 

Grand  High  Priest 162 

King  and  Grand  Scribe 163 

Secretary 164 

Treasurer 163 

Trials,  appeals,  and  penalties — 

Revisions  and  restorations 179 

Relative  to  Chapters  and  members  of  different  Chapters 175 


224  THE    CALIPOENIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

•  PAGE. 

Constitution  of  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  (Continued). 

Relative  to  Grand  High  Priest 173 

High  Priest  of  Chaj^ters 174 

Royal  Arch  Masons  individually 17fi 

Organization  of  the  Grand  Chajyter — 

Of  its  committees  ICO 

convocations    158 

elections 159 

members  and  their  qualification 157 

powers  and  authority 158 

revenues 161 

title  and  seal 157 

voting  and  representation IfiO 

Melative  to  Subordinate  Chapters — 

Dissolution  of  Chapters 170 

Of  their  duties 166 

elections 167 

formation 165 

membership 172 

officers 171 

Prohibitions 168 

Rules  op  Order  of  the  Grand  Chapter 182 

CONSTITUTION  OF  THE  GRAND  COUNCIL  OF  ROYAL  AND 

SELECT   MASTERS 189 

Of  the  Grand  officers — 

Deputy  Grand  Master 195 

Grand  Master 194 

Recorder 195 

Treasurer 195 

Of  Suhordinate  Councils — 

Amendments 198 

Duties 197 

Fees  and  dues 197 

Formation 196 

Prohibitions   198 

Trials  and  appeals    198 

Belaiive  to  Grand  Council — 

Assemblies 192 

Committees 194 

Elections 193 

Officers  and  members 191 

Powers  and  authority 192 

Proxies 193 

Revenue 194 

Title  and  seal 191 


INDEX.  2^^ 

PAGE. 

CONSTITUTION  OF   THE  GRAND  LODGE 27 

Address  of  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge ^ 

Advancement  of  candidates,  objections  to *' 

Affiliation,  application  for,  must  be  accompanied  by  demit ....  49 

Amendments  to  Constitution,  relative  to "^ 

Annual  report  of  a  Lodge,  form  of " 

Appeal  relative  to  trials  of  individual  Masons ^^ 

Lodges  and  members  of  different  00 

Lodges  '^0 

Masters  of  Lodges  (Sec.  8) CO 

64 

Appeals .  ^ 

Appointed  officers  of  subordinate  Lodges »- 

Appointments,  elections  and ^  • 

Grand  Master  has  power  to  make,  to  fill  vacan- 

.     30 

cies 

47 
Application,  fees  must  accompany _ 

for  affiliation  must  be  accompanied  by  demit. ...     49 

for  membership,  form  of ' 

Applications  must  be  in  writing •  •  •  • 

to  Grand  Lodge  for  restoration,  relative  to  (Gen- 
eral Regulations,  Nos.  17,  19,  and  20) 82 

Ballot,  dispensation  to,  without  reference  to  committee 47 

elective  officers  shall  be  elected  by '^^ 

Master  may  order  a  second,  when ' 

must  be  unanimous  to  elect 

one,  for  the  three  degrees * 

secresy  of  the  

Balloting '."  ,V        •  tq 

Burial,  no  brother  who  may  fall  in  a  duel  shall  receive  Masonic  78 

Business  in  the  Grand  Lodge ^ 

of  a  Lodge •  • 

must  be  done  in  a  Lodge  of  Master  Masons  4o 

number  of  members  necessary  to  transact  80 

By-laws,  amendments  to,  must  be  approved  by  Grand  Lodge .  45 

Lodge  shall  transmit  copies  of,  to  Grand  Lodge 45 

Candidates  must  pass  examination  in  open  Lodge 47 

objection  to  advancement  of 

qualification  of  (General  Regulation,  No.  18) 83 

Ceremony,  on  occasions  of.  Grand  Master  may  appoint  to  fill 

stations 

Charter,  fee  to  Grand  Lodge  for " 

Secretary  for ^^ 

for  a  new  Lodge  may  be  issued,  when 43 

forfeiture  of 

or  arrest  of,  involves  suspension  of  members    50 

29 


226  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

PAGE. 

CoxsTiTtJTiON  OP  THE  Graxd  Lodge  (Continued). 

Charter,  forfeiture  or  arrest  of,  when  declared  by  Grand  Lodge, 

shall  be  conclusive 51 

form  of  petition  for 72 

surrender  of 50 

Charges  may  be  preferred  against  Grand  Master 57 

individual   Masons 61 

Lodges 60 

Master  of  Lodges 59 

Commissioners  on  trial  of  Masters  of  Lodges 59 

Committees  of  the  Grand  Lodge 32 

on  applications 47 

regular 32 

relative  to  payment  of  chairmen  of  standing 81 

special 32 

Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge 29 

special,  may  be  ordered  by  the  Grand  Master  29 
shall  be  ordered  upon  application  of 

the  Masters  of  five  chartered  Lodges  30 

Communications  shall  be  read  in  open  Lodge 46 

Compensation  of  Grand  Officers 42 

Conferring  degrees 47 

Constitution,  amendments  to Go 

of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California 27 

Definitions 66 

Degrees,  conferring 47 

fees  for 47 

must  accompany  application 47 

form  of  petition  for "3 

Delegates  have  no  vote  in  Grand  Lodge 50 

Lodges    under    dispensation   may   send,  to    Grand 

Lodge 49 

Demission 56 

Deputy  Grand  Master,  powers  and  duties  of 35 

Diploma,  form  of  certificate  for  68 

for  benefit  of  family  of  decead- 

brother 69 

Dispensation,  fee  to  Grand  Lodge  for 32 

Secretary  for 39 

to  ballot  without  reference  to  committee 47 

receive  petition  of  rejected  applicant 47 

Lodges  under,  may  send  delegates  to  Grand 

Lodge 49 

to  elect  officers  of  subordinate  Lodges 51 

form  a  new  Lodge,  form  of  petition  for 69 

open  a  new  Lodge   43 


INDEX.  227 

PAGE. 

Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  (Continued). 

Dissolution  of  Lodges .• 

Dissolved  Lodges,  disposition  of  property  of -  ■  •  •     -^^ 

property  of,  Grand  Secretary  shall  receive .     66 
to  be  placed  with  funds  of  Grand 

Lodge '^'^ 

Dueling,  relative  to 

Dues,  non-payment  of 

to  the  Grand  Lodge ■ 

Duties  of  individual  Masons 

Election  of  officers,  dispensation  for . ' 

time  of 

to  fill  vacancies ■  •  •  •  ■     ^^ 

Elections,  every  member  whose  dues  are  paid  shall  be  entitled 

to  vote  at •  •  •  • 

in  Grand  Lodge ^ 

Elective  officers  of  Grand  Lodge 

subordinate  Lodge "^^ 

Entered  Apprentices,  names  of,  shall  be  returned  to  the  Grand 

Lodge  for  two  years  only ^0 

striking  names  of,  from  the  roll  does  not 

affect  their  position ^0 

Expelled  Masons,  relative  to  application  to  Grand  Lodge  for 

restoration  of 

Expulsion,  definition  of 

form  of  notice  of 

Fees  charged  by  Grand  Lodge  for  dispensations,  charters,  etc.    32 
Secretary  for  dispensations,  charters, 

etc 39 

..     47 
for  degrees ; 

must  accompany  application 

Fellow-Crafts,  names  of,  shall  be  returned  to  Grand  Lodge  for     ^ 

two  years  only _ 

stricken  from  the  roll,  does  not  affect  their  po- 

80 

sition 

77 
Form  of  annual  report  of  a  Lodge ^ 

application  for  membership ' 

certificate  for  a  diploma : 

for  the  benefit  of  the  family  of 

a  deceased  brother 69 

Form  of  certificate  of  election  of  officers  of  subordinate  Lodges    75 
the  qualification  of  the  Master  proposed 

for  a  new  Lodge ^^ 

credential  for  a  representative  elected  by  a  Lodge  .  .     73 

notice  of  expulsion ^ 

rejection 


228  THE    CALIFOENIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

PAGE. 

CoxsTiTCTiON  OF  THE  Gk.vxd  Lodge  (Continued). 

Form  of  notice  of  restoration 75 

suspension 75 

petition  for  a  charter 72 

dispensation  to  form  a  new  Lodge  ....  69 

tlie  degrees 73 

recommendation  of  a  petition  to  form  a  new  Lodge.  .  71 

Forms 68 

General  regulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge 78 

Grand  Lodge  of  California,  communications  of 29 

committees  and  their  duties 32 

constitution  of 27 

dues  ; 33 

fees  for  charters,  dispensations,  etc.  33 

general  regulations  of 78 

judicial  powers  of 29 

jurisdiction  of 67 

may  levy  contributions 33 

members  of  and  their  qualifications  28 

powers  and  authority  of 28 

representatives  in 31 

revenues  of 32 

seal  affixed  to  all  instruments  is- 
sued by  Grand  Secretary 27 

title  and  seal 27 

voting  and  representation  in 31 

Grand  Lodge  of  Hamburg,  communication  with,  forbidden . .  79 

Grand  Master,  definition  of 66 

charges  may  be  preferred  against 57 

powers  and  duties  of 31 

Grand  Officers,  appointed,  duties  of 40 

payment  of 81 

compensation  of 42 

powers  and  duties  of 34 

Grand  Secretary,  powers  and  duties  of 37 

fees  of 39 

may  appoint  an  assistant 40 

Treasurer,  powers  and  duties  of 36 

Wardens,  powers  and  duties  of 36 

Hamburg,  Grand  Lodge  of,  i-elati ve  to 79 

Illegal  Lodges 49 

(General  Regulation,  No.  2) 78 

Individual  Masons,  of ^6 

duties,  prohibitions,  penalties 56 

Installing  Officers  of  subordinate  Lodges 51 

Judicial  powers  of  Grand  Lodge 29 


INDEX.  229 

PAGE. 

CoNSTiTiTTiox  OF  THE  Grand  Lodge  (Continued). 

Jurisdiction,  definition  of 6"^ 

concurrent '^^ 

Jurisdictions,  candidates  for  merabersliip  who  have  received 

degrees  in  other,  while  residents  of  this  State .  78 

Lectures ^^ 

Lodge,  jurisdiction  of  a ^ ' 

lectures  in  a '^^ 

liable  to  arrest  of  charter  for  neglecting  or  refusing  to 

use  the  revised  work 81 

may  have  its  charter  suspended  or  forfeited  for  neglect 

of  duty 46 

must  be  duly  chartered  and  constituted  to  entitle  it  to 

representation  in  Grand  Lodge 49 

must  have  made  its  returns  to  entitle  it  to  represen- 
tation    4^ 

of  whom  it  shall  consist    44 

organization  of  a 42 

petition  to  open  a  new 43 

powers  and  duties  of  a 44 

removal  of  a 46 

each,   represented  entitled  to   three  votes  in   Grand 

Lodge 31 

responsible  for  its  Secretary 46 

shall  accompany  its  returns  with  payment  of  its  dues  .  45 
be  represented  in  Grand  Lodge  at  every  commu- 
nication    45 

have  ofiaeial  communications  read  in  open  Lodge .  46 

provide  a  seal 45 

for  payment  of  its  officers  or  representa- 
tive in  attending  communications  of 

Grand  Lodge 46 

the  several  books  prescribed 46 

transmit  a  copy  of  its  By-laws  to  Grand  Secretary  45 
to  Grand  Secretary  returns  of  transac- 
tions       45 

Lodges,  charges  against 60 

dissolution  of 50 

illegal '^8 

payment  of  representatives  of 81 

subordinate,  officers  of 51 

under   dispensation,  may   send   delegates   to   Grand 

Lodge 49 

without  the  State  may  be  represented  by  a  member  of 

any  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction 66 

Masonic  Hall  Fund ^*-^ 


230  THE   CALIFORNIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 

PAGE. 

Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  (CoDtinued). 

Masonic  honors,  no  brother  who  may  fall  in  a  duel  shall  be 

buried  with 78 

Masons  shall  testify  on  their  honor  as  such 59 

Master,  definition  of 66 

powers  and  duties  of 52 

is  the  primary  executive  authority  of  a  Lodge 44 

Masters  of  Lodges,  relative  to  trials  of 59 

Member  may  withdraw  from  a  Lodge  at  any  time 56 

Membership,  form  of  application  for 74 

in  a  Lodge,  how  acquired 56 

terminated 56 

of   56 

Members  of  dissolved  Lodges,  relative  to 80 

no  Lodge  allowed  to  transact  business  other  than  con- 
ferring degrees,  with  less  than  seven,  present. ...  80 

of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  their  qualifications 28 

not  to  be  represented  by  proxy  28 

Non-affiliated  Masons,  relative  to 81 

Non-payment  of  dues,  members  may  be  suspended  for 49 

relative  to  members  stricken  from  the 

roll  for 80 

restoration  of  members  suspended  for. .  49 

Notification,  definition  of 68 

Objections  to  advancement  of  candidates 47 

Oflice  in  a  Lodge,  every  voter  eligible  to  any 52 

Officers  appointed 52 

duties  of 55 

Lodge  to  provide  for  payment  of,  in  attending  Grand 

Lodge 46 

of  subordinate  Lodges 51 

elections  and  appointments  of.  51 

of  the  Grand  Lodge 28 

elective,  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  30 
must  be  members  of  some  Lodge 

within  its  jurisdiction 28 

Of  the  officers  of  subordinate  Lodges 51 

Organization  of  a  Lodge 42 

Past  Grand  Officer,  definition  of 66 

Master,  definition  of 66 

relative  to  degree  of 79 

Payment  of  officers  and  re])rosentativcs  to  Grand  Lodge   46 

Penalties 56 

wliicli  may  be  inflicted  upon  individual  Masons 63 

Lodges 61 

Masters  of  Lodges 60 


231 

Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  (Continued). 


INDEX. 

PAGE. 


Petition  for  a  charter,  form  of '  ^ 

dispensation  to  form  a  new  Lodge,  form  of 69 

the  degrees '  ^ 

42 
to  form  a  new  Lodge 

Powers  and  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge 28 

duties  of  a  Lodge 

Grand  Officers ^4 

Masters ^^ 

judicial,  of  a  Lodge ^^ 

legislative,  of  a  Lodge '^'^ 

Proceedings,  relative  to  price  to  be  charged  for  copies  of SO 

Prohibitions  relative  to  individual  Masons -^6 

Proxy,  members  of  Grand  Lodge  not  to  be  represented  by  . . .  28 

Qualifications  of  candidates ^^ 

Questions  in  Grand  Lodge,  how  decided 31 

Quorum 

Recommendation  of  a  petition  to  form  a  new  Lodge,  form  of.  71 

Regulation,  definition  of ^^ 

Regulations,  general,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  California 78 

repealed "^ 

Rejected  applicants '^'^ 

dispensation  to  receive  application  of 47 

Rejection,  form  of  notice  of '  ^ 

Removal  of  Lodges ^*^ 

Representation,  Lodge  must  be  duly  instituted  to  entitle  it  to  .  49 

have  made  its  returns  to  entitle  it 

to 49 

Representative,  definition  of ^^ 

form  of  credential  for  a 73 

fund,  levy  of. 1^ 

Lodge  to  provide  for  payment  of 46 

Representatives  of  Lodges,  payment  of 81 

voting  in  Grand  Lodge 31 

Represented,  a  Lodge  without  the  State  may  be,  by  a  member 

of  any  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction 66 

46 
Residence 

candidate  must  apply  to  the  Lodge  nearest  his  place 

of 78 

64 
Restorations ;  ■ 

by  Grand  Lodge  shall  not  restore  to  membership 

in  Lodge ^"^ 

form  of  notice  of. '  ^ 

of  expelled  Masons ^^ 

members  suspended  for  non-payment  of  dues . .  49 

suspended  Masons,  relative  to 82 


232  THE   CALIFOENIA   DIGEST   OF   MASONIC   LAW. 


PAGE. 


CoNSTiTTUiox  OF  TUE  Graxd  Lodge  (Continued). 

Restoration,  suspension,  or  expulsion,  shall  not  be  published 

except  by  Grand  Lodge  or  Grand  Master 64 

Restore,  Grand  Lodge  may 64 

Revenue  of  Grand  Lodge,  excess  of,  how  disposed  of 78 

Revenues  of  the  Grand  Lodge 32 

Revised  worlv  made  obligatory  upon  all  the  Lodges 81 

Revision  and  restorations 64 

Seal,  Lodge  shall  provide  a,  within  two  months 45 

of  the  Grand  Lodge 27 

Secretary,  duties  of 54 

Special  meetings,  what  btisiness  may  be  done  at 44 

Stated  meetings,  definition  of 68 

each  Lodge  shall  have  not  more  than  one,  in 

each  month 44 

Subordinate  Lodges,  of 42 

officers  of 51 

Summons,  definition  of 68 

Suspended  for  non-payment  of  dues,  member  may  be 57 

Suspensions,  definition  of. 67 

shall  not  be  published  except  by  the  Grand  Lodge 

or  Grand  Master 64 

form  of  notice  of 75 

Suspension  of  a  Lodge,  definition  of 67 

Mason,  definitiou  of 67 

Master,  definition  of    67 

shall  be  for  an  indefinite  period 64 

Title  of  Grand  Lodge  of  California 27 

Treasurer,  Grand,  duties  of 36 

of  subordinate  Lodge,  duties  of 53 

Trials,  appeals,  and  penalties 57 

of  Grand  Master 57 

individual  Masons 61 

Lodges  and  members  of  different  Lodges 60 

Trustees  of  Masonic  Hall  Fund 79 

Vacancy,  definition  of. 67 

Violations,  of 56 

Visitors,  no  Lodge  shall  admit,  without  due  inquiry  or  exami- 
nation   49 

Vote,  Grand  Master  to  have  casting,  when 31 

no  member  of  a  Lodge  required  to  divulge  his 57 

Past  Masters  of  each  Lodge  collectively  entitled  to  one  31 

Voter  eligible  to  any  office  in  a  Lodge 52 

Votes,  each  Lodge  represented  entitled  to  three 31 

Voting  in  Grand  Lodge 31 

Wardens  of  Subordinate  Lodges 53 


INDEX.  233 

PAGE. 

Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge  (Continued). 

Wardens,  duties  of  Grand ....    36 

Witnesses,  relative  to  testimony  of 59 

Work  and  lectures,  revised 81 

Councils,  li.st  of  subordinate 199 

General  Regulations  op  the  Grand  Chapter 180 

Lodge 78 

Grand  Chapter,  Constitution  of. 155 

general  regulations  of 180 

Grand  otficers  of,  elected  since  1854 18fi 

i-ules  of  order  of. 182 

Grand  Commandert,  list  of  Grand  ofiBcers  of 220 

rules  of  order  of 217 

statutes  of 201 

Grand  Council  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  Constitution  of 189 

Grand  Lodge  oi  California,  By-laws  of 89 

Constitution  of 27 

general  regulations  of 78 

list  of  officers  elected  since  1850 150 

Grand  Officers  of  Grand  Chapter,  elected  since  1854 18fi 

Commandery,  elected  since  organization. .   220 

Lodge,  elected  since  1850 150 

for  1866-7 4 

Knights  Templar,  statutes  of  Grand  Commandery  of. 201 

List  of  Past  Grand  Officers  op  Grand  Chapter 186 

Commandery 220 

Lodge 150 

Subordinate  Chapters 184 

commanderies 219 

Councils 199 

Lodges 1'13 

Lodges,  list  of 143 

MASONIC  CODE  (resolutions  and  decisions  of  Grand  Lodge)  93 

Admission  and  advancement  of  candidates 106 

Affiliation 114 

Appeal,  no,  from  the  ruling  of  a  Grand  Master 95 

Appeals 130 

Assessments 122 

Balloting 99 

Ballot,  withdrawing  petition  before 101 

Business  of  a  Lodge 98 

By-laws  140 

uniform  code  of,  relative  to 140 

Candidates,  admission  and  advancement  of 106 

from  other  jurisdictions 105 

30 


234  THE    CALIFOENIA    DIGEST    OF    MASONIC    LAW. 

PAGE. 

Masonic  Code  (Continued). 

Candidates,  qualifications  of 106 

rejected 112 

Charitable  relief 119 

Code  of  By-laws,  Uniform 140 

Commissioners  and  their  reports 130 

Compensation  to  Grand  Officers  and  members  of  the  Grand 

Lodge 138 

Conduct,  unmasonic 134 

Conferring  degrees  and  proficiency Ill 

Debts,  ordinary 135 

Degrees,  conferring Ill 

Delegates  of  Lodges 139 

Demission 116 

Dispensation,  Lodges  under 103 

Dissolved  Lodges,  property  of 104 

Dropping  names  from  the  roll 125 

Dues 122 

suspension  for  non-payment  of 123 

Expulsions 131 

Fees,  dues,  and  assessments 122 

Funerals  and  expenses 120 

Grand  Master,  powers  of 95 

Officers,  compensation  to 138 

Honorary  membership 113 

Jurisdiction  of  a  Lodge 105 

Jurisdictions,  candidates  from  other 105 

Lectures,  work  and 97 

Lodge,  jurisdiction  of  a 104 

meetings  on  Sunday 103 

opening  and  closing  of 97 

property  of  dissolved 104 

liOdges,  removals  of 102 

representatives  and  delegates  of 139 

under  dispensation 103 

Masonic  clothing  and  processions 141 

funerals  and  expenses 120 

Masons,  non-affiliated 114 

Masters  and  Wardens,  relative  to  withdrawal  of 9G 

of  Lodges,  powers  and  duties  of 95 

Membership 113 

honorary 113 

Members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  compensation  to 138 

Non-affiliated  Masons 114 

Non-payment  of  duos 125 

Notifications  1 25 


INDEX.  2B5 

PAGE. 

Masoxic  Code  (Continued). 

Opening  and  closing  of  Lodges 9'^ 

Ordinary  debts 135 

Petition,  withdrawing,  before  ballot 101 

Powers  and  duties  of  Masters 9o 

of  a  Grand  Master 95 


Processions 


141 


Proficiency ^^'^ 

Property  of  dissolved  Lodges 104 

Qualifications  of  candidates 106 

Rejected  candidates H'^ 

Relief l^^ 

Removals  of  Lodges 102 

Reports  of  Commissioners 130 

Representative  fund 13' 

Representatives  of  Lodges -. 139 

Residence ll** 

Resolutions  rescinded 1'^"- 

Right  of  visit H''' 

Roll,  dropping  names  from 125 

Standing  resolutions  rescinded 142 

Summonses  l2o 

Sundays,  Lodge  meeting  on  103 

Suspension  for  non-payment  of  dues 123 

Suspensions,  expulsions,  and  restorations 131 

Testimony 128 

Trials 128 

Unmasonic  conduct 134 

Visit,  right  of 117 

Votes  in  a  Lodge 99 

Wardens,  Masters  and 96 

"Witnesses,  testimony,  and  trials 128 

Work  and  lectures 97 

OLD  CHARGES  OF  A  FREEMASON 5 

Regulations 13 

Regdlations,  General,  of  the  Grand  Chapter 180 

Lodge 78 

Old 13 

Royal  and  Select  Masters,  Constitution  of  Grand  Council  of  . .  189 

Royal  Arch  Masons,  Constitution  of  Grand  Chapter  of 155 

Rules  of  Order  of  the  Grand  Chapter 182 

commandery 217 


236  THE   CALIFORNIA    DIGEST   OF   MASONIC    LAW. 

PAGE. 

STATUTES  OF   GRAND   COMMANDERY   OF    KNIGHTS    TEM- 
PLAR   201 

Miscellaneous — 

Amendments 216 

Penalties 215 

Trials  and  appeals 215 

Vows  of  ofiQce 215 

Belatlve  to  Gi-and  Commandery — 

Committees , .  20(; 

Conclaves 205 

Elections 205 

OfiQcers  and  members 203 

Powers  and  authority 204 

Proxies 205 

Qualifications  for  ofiQce  or  membei'ship 204 

Revenue 206 

Title  and  seal 203 

Voting 206 

Relative  to  Gmnd  Officers — 

Deputy  Grand  Commander 208 

Grand  Captain  General 208 

Commander 207 

Generalissimo 208 

Recorder 209 

Treasurer 209 

Past  Grand  Officers 210 

Relative,  to  Sicbordbmte  Commanderies — 

Assemblies 211 

Commander 213 

Elections  212 

Eees  and  dues 213 

Formation 211 

Generalissimo  and  Captain  General 213 

Of  whom  composed 211 

Qualifications  for  the  Order 212 

Returns 214 

Treasurer  and  Recorder 214 

Voting 212 

SdBORDINATE  ClIAl'TliKS,  list  of 184 

Commanderies,  list  of 219 

Councils,  list  of 199 

Lodges,  list  of 143 

Uniform  Code  ok  By-laws 84 


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